ࡱ > P bjbjT~T~ kR 6 6 ^ M $ P U $ y 4 E z ] " Z Z Z E E E E E E E $ 8G I 8 ?E 9 Z Z ?E xE 1 1 1 < c> 1 E 1 1 : 6 , k7 0qc 9( 7
O> E 0 E 7 R K U+ d K k7 k7 D K 7 Z 1 5 Z Z Z ?E ?E . ( Z Z Z E K Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z : Running head: Social support and regular physical activity.
Social support and regular physical activity: Does planning mediate this link?
*Molloy GJ, Dixon D,
Department of Psychology, Cottrell Building, ҪԹ, FK9 4LA, Scotland.
Hamer M
Department of Epidemiology & Public Health University College London, WC1E 6BT, England.
Sniehotta FF
School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2UB, Scotland.
Word count (exc. Figures/tables): 3,878
*Corresponding author: Department of Psychology, Cottrell Building, ҪԹ, FK9 4LA, Scotland. E-mail: g.j.molloy@stir.ac.ukPhone: + 44 (0) 1786 46 7655
Objectives: Social support for physical activity is reliably associated with regular physical activity, however the social cognitive processes, particularly post-intentional processes, that can explain this link have not been well characterised. In this study we examined the extent to which the relationship between social support for physical activity and subsequent physical activity can be accounted for by planning processes.
Design & Method: The design was prospective observational and the sample consisted of 903 university students. Participants completed standard TPB, planning and physical activity measures at 2 time points, approximately 7 weeks apart. A gender stratified multiple mediation model was conducted to test the study hypotheses.
Results: A significant interaction between social support and gender was observed. This indicated that lower levels of social support for physical activity were associated with lower levels of physical activity at time 2, for women only. In multiple mediation analysis this was partly explained by the indirect effects of social support through perceived behavioural control and coping planning.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of interpersonal processes in understanding the post-intentional determinants of regular physical activity. It is likely that planning processes relating to physical activity are often influenced by those in the ongoing immediate social environment who support this behaviour. Future development of theory and interventions should take account of the socially interactive nature of planning processes.
Introduction
Social support for regular physical activity has been one of the most studied psychosocial determinants of regular physical activity ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Trost200220Correlates of adults' participation in physical activity: review and updateJournal20Correlates of adults' participation in physical activity: review and updateTrost,S.G.Owen,N.Bauman,A.E.Sallis,J.F.Brown,W.2002/12ACTIVITY PATTERNSCOMMUNITYdemographicdeterminantsenvironmentalExerciseEXERCISE BEHAVIORLEISURE-TIMEliterature reviewOLDER ADULTSPLANNED BEHAVIORPOPULATIONpsychologicalSELF-EFFICACYsocialWOMENNot in File19962001Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise34120195-9131Univ Queensland, Sch Human Movement Studies, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
Univ Queensland, Sch Populat Hlth, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
San Diego State Univ, Dept Psychol, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
Univ New S Wales, Sch Community Med, Kensington, NSW 2033, AustraliaISI:000179757300020Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise1Courneya20009Social support and the theory of planned behavior in the exercise domainJournal9Social support and the theory of planned behavior in the exercise domainCourneya,K.S.Plotnikoff,R.C.Hotz,S.B.Birkett,N.J.2000/7ADHERENCEADULTSattitudesBEHAVIORCOMMUNITYdemographicDOMAINExerciseEXERCISE INTENTIONIDENTIFYintentionINTENTIONSMODELPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPLANNED BEHAVIORPREDICTIONREGULAR EXERCISEsocialSOCIAL SUPPORTSUPPORTtheory of planned behaviorNot in File300308American Journal of Health Behavior2441087-3244Univ Alberta, Fac Phys Educ, Van Vliet Ctr E401, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H9, Canada
Univ Alberta, Alberta Ctr Well Being, Ctr Hlth Promot Studies, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H9, Canada
Univ Ottawa, Fac Med, Dept Epidemiol & Community Med, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
Univ Ottawa, Sch Psychol, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, CanadaISI:000087954700006American Journal of Health Behavior1Sallis199266Explanation of Vigorous Physical-Activity During 2 Years Using Social-Learning VariablesJournal66Explanation of Vigorous Physical-Activity During 2 Years Using Social-Learning VariablesSallis,J.F.Hovell,M.F.Hofstetter,C.R.Barrington,E.1992/1ADULTSBARRIERSBEHAVIORCOMMUNITYCOMMUNITY SAMPLEdemographicdeterminantsExerciseFAMILYhealth promotionphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYREGRESSIONSAMPLESELF-EFFICACYsocialSOCIAL LEARNING THEORYSUPPORTtheoryTIMEVARIABLESNot in File2532Social Science & Medicine3410277-9536ISI:A1992GY69500004Social Science & Medicine1(Trost et al., 2002; Courneya et al., 2000; Sallis et al., 1992b). Duncan et al., (2005) provides a general definition of social support that subsumes a number of different theoretical approaches. They propose that social support refers to any behavior that assists an individual in achieving desired goals or outcomes. Several studies have clearly shown that social support for physical activity is reliably associated with greater levels of physical activity ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Trost200220Correlates of adults' participation in physical activity: review and updateJournal20Correlates of adults' participation in physical activity: review and updateTrost,S.G.Owen,N.Bauman,A.E.Sallis,J.F.Brown,W.2002/12ACTIVITY PATTERNSCOMMUNITYdemographicdeterminantsenvironmentalExerciseEXERCISE BEHAVIORLEISURE-TIMEliterature reviewOLDER ADULTSPLANNED BEHAVIORPOPULATIONpsychologicalSELF-EFFICACYsocialWOMENNot in File19962001Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise34120195-9131Univ Queensland, Sch Human Movement Studies, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
Univ Queensland, Sch Populat Hlth, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
San Diego State Univ, Dept Psychol, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
Univ New S Wales, Sch Community Med, Kensington, NSW 2033, AustraliaISI:000179757300020Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise1(Trost et al., 2002), particularly among women ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sallis199269Predictors of Adoption and Maintenance of Vigorous Physical-Activity in Men and WomenJournal69Predictors of Adoption and Maintenance of Vigorous Physical-Activity in Men and WomenSallis,J.F.Hovell,M.F.Hofstetter,C.R.1992/3AdoptiondeterminantsExerciseFITNESSMAINTENANCEMENphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPREDICTORSTIMEWOMENNot in File237251Preventive Medicine2120091-7435SAN DIEGO STATE UNIV,GRAD SCH PUBL HLTH,SAN DIEGO,CA 92182
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIV,DEPT POLIT SCI,SAN DIEGO,CA 92182ISI:A1992HK68400008Preventive Medicine1Sallis199963Potential mediators of change in a physical activity promotion course for university students: Project GRADJournal63Potential mediators of change in a physical activity promotion course for university students: Project GRADSallis,J.F.Calfas,K.J.Alcaraz,J.E.Gehrman,C.Johnson,M.F.1999=SPRBARRIERSBEHAVIORBEHAVIOR-CHANGEbehavioral medicineBENEFITSENJOYMENTExerciseFRIENDSHEALTHHEALTH BEHAVIORINTENSITYINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSMALESMEDIATORMENMODELMODELSPERFORMANCEphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPROGRAMREGRESSIONSELF-EFFICACYsocialSOCIAL SUPPORTSTUDENTSSUPPORTtheoryVARIABLESWOMENNot in File149158Annals of Behavioral Medicine2120883-6612San Diego State Univ, Dept Psychol, San Diego, CA 92120 USAISI:000086106000007Annals of Behavioral Medicine1(Sallis et al., 1992a; Sallis et al., 1999). Previous work in the area of social cognition and physical activity has shown that this link can be partly explained by the relationship between social support for physical activity and beliefs about capability or control of engaging in regular physical activity e.g. self-efficacy ADDIN REFMGR.CITE McAuley200313Exercise self-efficacy in older adults: Social, affective, and behavioral influences
13Journal13Exercise self-efficacy in older adults: Social, affective, and behavioral influences
13McAuley,E.Jerome,G.J.Marquez,D.X.Elavsky,S.Blissmer,B.2003=WINADHERENCEADULTSaffectBARRIERSCOGNITIONSCURVE ANALYSISELDERLY PATIENTSExerciseEXPECTATIONSMAINTENANCEMIDDLE-AGED MALESOLDEROLDER ADULTSOLDER-ADULTSPARTICIPATIONphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYQUESTIONNAIRESELF-EFFICACYsocialSOCIAL SUPPORTSUPPORTWALKINGNot in File17Annals of Behavioral Medicine2510883-6612Univ Illinois, Dept Kinesiol, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
Univ Rhode Isl, Kingston, RI 02881 USAISI:000180872800001Annals of Behavioral Medicine1(McAuley et al., 2003) from social cognitive theory ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Bandura200472Health promotion by social cognitive meansJournal72Health promotion by social cognitive meansBandura,A.2004/4affectBEHAVIORcollective efficacyDISEASEEDUCATIONefficacyenvironmentalExerciseEXPECTATIONSGOALShabitHEALTHhealth promotionHEALTH-PROMOTIONmotivationOUTCOMESPEOPLEPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYpreventionPROGRAMRELAPSERISKSELF-EFFICACYself-management modelself-regulationSMOKING PREVENTIONsocialsocial cognitiveSOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORYtheoryTIMETRIALNot in File143164Health Education & Behavior3121090-1981Stanford Univ, Dept Psychol, Stanford, CA 94305 USAISI:000220296900002Health Education & Behavior1(Bandura, 2004) and perceived behavioral control ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Courneya199510Cognitive Mediators of the Social-Influence Exercise Adherence Relationship - A Test of the Theory of Planned BehaviorJournal10Cognitive Mediators of the Social-Influence Exercise Adherence Relationship - A Test of the Theory of Planned BehaviorCourneya,K.S.McAuley,E.1995/10ADHERENCEattitudesBEHAVIORCOHESIONCONSTRUCTExerciseEXERCISE ADHERENCEGROUP COHESIONintentionINTENTIONSPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPLANNED BEHAVIORPREDICTIONsocialSOCIAL SUPPORTSUBJECTIVE NORMSUPPORTtheory of planned behaviorNot in File499515Journal of Behavioral Medicine1850160-7715UNIV ILLINOIS,URBANA,IL 61801ISI:A1995RX84300006Journal of Behavioral Medicine1(Courneya & McAuley, 1995) from the theory of planned behavior ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Ajzen199171The Theory of Planned BehaviorJournal71The Theory of Planned BehaviorAjzen,I.1991/12ATTITUDE MODELSBEHAVIOREXPECTANCYFISHBEIN-AJZENINTENTIONSPERFORMANCEPLANNED BEHAVIORPREDICTIONREASONED ACTIONSELF-EFFICACYtheorytheory of planned behaviorTIMEtraitsVARIABLESNot in File179211Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes5020749-5978ISI:A1991GQ64400003Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes1(Ajzen, 1991). In these studies social support for physical activity is hypothesised to enhance control/efficacy beliefs relating to participating in regular physical activity. For example in social cognitive theory, social support could be viewed as a potential source of self-efficacy e.g. social supportive relationships may provide self-efficacy enhancing vicarious experience or verbal persuasion relating to regular physical activity ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Bandura199784Self-efficacy: The exercise of controlBook, Whole84Self-efficacy: The exercise of controlBandura,A.1997/1/1SELF-EFFICACYExerciseNot in FileNew YorkWH Freeman2(Bandura, 1997).
Recent work on the social cognitive determinants of regular physical activity has focused on post-intentional processes that facilitate the translation of intentions into action ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sniehotta200539Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment
9Journal39Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment
9Sniehotta,F.F.Schwarzer,R.Scholz,U.Schuz,B.2005/7ACTION PLANSBARRIERSBEHAVIORCOGNITIONSDISEASEExerciseGermanyHEALTHIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSLIFEphysical exercisePHYSICAL-ACTIVITYplanningPLANSREHABILITATIONWOMENNot in File565576European Journal of Social Psychology3540046-2772Univ Aberdeen, Coll Life Sci & Med, Sch Psychol, Kings Coll, Aberdeen AB24 2UB, Scotland
Free Univ Berlin, D-1000 Berlin, GermanyISI:000230837000008European Journal of Social Psychology1(Sniehotta et al., 2005b). This research shows that processes relating to the post-intentional planning of behavior are important intermediate mechanisms operating between intention and behavior ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sniehotta200975Towards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self-regulationJournal75Towards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self-regulationSniehotta,F.F.2009/5COGNITIONSCONSTRUCTHEALTHIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSMEDIATORMODERATORSplanningPLANSREASONED ACTIONself-regulationtheoryNot in File261273Br.J.Health Psychol.14Pt 2University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UKPM:19102817Br.J.Health Psychol.1(Sniehotta, 2009). Action planning and coping planning in particular have emerged as two key constructs that operate between intention and behavior ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Araujo-Soares200935Predicting changes in physical activity among adolescents: the role of self-efficacy, intention, action planning and coping planning
1Journal35Predicting changes in physical activity among adolescents: the role of self-efficacy, intention, action planning and coping planning
1Araujo-Soares,V.McIntyre,T.Sniehotta,F.F.2009/2ACTION PLANSadolescentsAGEBEHAVIORCHILDRENExerciseHEALTHIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSintentionINTERVENTIONMAINTENANCEphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYpreventionPSYCHOLOGYQUESTIONNAIRESCALESELF-EFFICACYsocialNot in File128139Health Education Research2410268-1153Robert Gordon Univ, Fac Hlth & Social Care, Aberdeen AB10 7QG, Scotland
Univ Minho, Minho, Portugal
Univ Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB9 1FX, ScotlandISI:000262331300014Health Education Research1(Araujo-Soares et al., 2009). Action planning is defined as a post-intentional process that links goal-directed responses to situational cues by specifying when, where, and how to act in accordance with ones goal intention. Coping planning is conceptualized as an independent planning cognition that prepares a person for successful coping with situations in which strong cues invite both unintended responses (e.g. habits) and intentional responses (e.g. newly planned actions) ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sniehotta2006325Action plans and coping plans for physical exercise: A longitudinal intervention study in cardiac rehabilitationJournal325Action plans and coping plans for physical exercise: A longitudinal intervention study in cardiac rehabilitationSniehotta,F.F.Scholz,U.Schwarzer,R.2006/2ACTION PLANSAdaptation,PsychologicalAdultAgedAged,80 and overassessmentBARRIERSCARDIAC REHABILITATIONcontrolled trialCoronary DiseaseDemographyExerciseFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHEALTH BEHAVIORHumansINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSLIFEMaleMiddle Agedphysical exercisephysical fitnessplanningPLANSPSYCHOLOGYrandomized controlled trialREHABILITATIONSchoolSelf EfficacyTime FactorsTRIALNot in File2337Br.J.Health Psychol.11Pt 1University of Aberdeen, School of Psychology, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College, Aberdeen, UK. f.sniehotta@abdn.ac.ukPM:16480553Br.J.Health Psychol.1(Sniehotta et al., 2006). These variables have been shown to predict physical activity and other health behaviors ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Schwarzer200778Adoption and maintenance of four health behaviors: Theory-guided longitudinal studies on dental flossing, seat belt use, dietary behavior, and physical activityJournal78Adoption and maintenance of four health behaviors: Theory-guided longitudinal studies on dental flossing, seat belt use, dietary behavior, and physical activitySchwarzer,R.Schuz,B.Ziegelmann,J.P.Lippke,S.Luszczynska,A.Scholz,U.2007AdoptionBEHAVIORBEHAVIORSCARDIAC REHABILITATIONDIETARYExerciseFEARGermanyHEALTHHEALTH BEHAVIORIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSintentionINTENTIONSINTERNETMAINTENANCEMEDIATORMODELPATTERNSphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPLANNED BEHAVIORplanningPREDICTIONPREDICTORSQUESTIONNAIRERISKSAMPLEScheduling self-efficacySELF-EFFICACYsocialstructural equation modelingSTUDENTSTASKTIMEVARIABLESYOUNGNot in File156166Annals of Behavioral Medicine3320883-6612Free Univ Berlin, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
Univ Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, E Sussex, England
Warsaw Sch Social Psychol, Warsaw, Poland
Univ Zurich, CH-8006 Zurich, SwitzerlandISI:000247892500006Annals of Behavioral Medicine1(Schwarzer et al., 2007) and interventions that can enhance planning have been shown to lead to increased physical activity, particularly in motivated patient groups ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sniehotta200538Long-term effects of two psychological interventions on physical exercise and self-regulation following coronary rehabilitation
8Journal38Long-term effects of two psychological interventions on physical exercise and self-regulation following coronary rehabilitation
8Sniehotta,F.F.Scholz,U.Schwarzer,R.Fuhrmann,B.Kiwus,U.Voller,H.2005ACTION PLANSADHERENCECARDIAC REHABILITATIONCARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASEExerciseEXERCISE ADHERENCEGermanyGUIDELINESHEART-DISEASEIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSINTENSITYintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSLIFEMAINTENANCEmotivationOF-CARDIOLOGYphysical activityphysical exercisePHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPLANNED BEHAVIORplanningpreventionPROGRAMSpsychologicalREHABILITATIONRISKRISK-FACTORSSTATEMENTSTRATEGIESNot in File244255International Journal of Behavioral Medicine1241070-5503Univ Aberdeen, Sch Psychol, Coll Life Sci & Med, Kings Coll, Aberdeen AB24 2UB, Scotland
Free Univ Berlin, D-1000 Berlin, Germany
Rehabil Klin Seehof, Teltow, Germany
Klin See, Rudersdorf, GermanyISI:000233055200005International Journal of Behavioral Medicine1(Sniehotta et al., 2005a).
Planning processes aim to create new contingencies between (external) situational cues and behavioural responses (e.g. swimming) directly conducive to the pursuit of goal intentions (e.g. being physically active) ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sniehotta200975Towards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self-regulationJournal75Towards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self-regulationSniehotta,F.F.2009/5COGNITIONSCONSTRUCTHEALTHIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSMEDIATORMODERATORSplanningPLANSREASONED ACTIONself-regulationtheoryNot in File261273Br.J.Health Psychol.14Pt 2University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UKPM:19102817Br.J.Health Psychol.1(Sniehotta, 2009). It is likely that situational cues will often be social in their nature. For example a social action plan might take the form of I will go for a run when I meet X in the park on Tuesdays, where X is some ongoing social contact. A coping plan may also often be social in its nature in that it may be another person or a social interaction that prevents unwanted influences on behaviour e.g. I will go for run even if I am tired because X will be calling by to go running with me. However there are limited data on how such social supportive interactions relate to these planning processes, so these hypothesised links remain speculative.
Understanding how planning relates to social support is therefore important for furthering our understanding of why social support for physical activity is a key determinant of regular physical activity in some groups. In this study we examine whether planning processes mediate the relationship between social support and regular physical activity. By way of comparison we also examine how the proximal predictors from the theory of planned behavior variables (intention and perceived behavioral control) mediate this association.
Social support in the present study is conceptualised as received social support for engaging in physical activity. This type of social support refers to support received from other people i.e. an interpersonal process, and can be distinguished from perceived support, which refers to ones perception of potential access to social support and is more typically conceived of as an intrapersonal process (see Uchino, 2009 for a detailed discussion of this distinction). This focus on interpersonal as opposed to intrapersonal processes is in line with an underlying aim in this study to understand how socially supportive interactions might determine regular physical activity in terms of known social cognitive determinants of regular physical activity. Therefore social support is presented as a distal predictor that can influence proximate theory of planned behaviour variables (intention and perceived behavioural control) and post-intentional processes such as planning ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sniehotta200975Towards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self-regulationJournal75Towards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self-regulationSniehotta,F.F.2009/5COGNITIONSCONSTRUCTHEALTHIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSMEDIATORMODERATORSplanningPLANSREASONED ACTIONself-regulationtheoryNot in File261273Br.J.Health Psychol.14Pt 2University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UKPM:19102817Br.J.Health Psychol.1(Sniehotta, 2009).
It is not entirely clear why gender differences have been observed in the link between social support and physical activity. One speculative hypothesis may be that it is due to the importance of agency as opposed to communion that are thought to characterise male and female (i.e. an intrapersonal versus interpersonal orientation, respectively) differences in social behaviour (Helgeson, 1994). In light of the previously observed gender differences ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sallis199269Predictors of Adoption and Maintenance of Vigorous Physical-Activity in Men and WomenJournal69Predictors of Adoption and Maintenance of Vigorous Physical-Activity in Men and WomenSallis,J.F.Hovell,M.F.Hofstetter,C.R.1992/3AdoptiondeterminantsExerciseFITNESSMAINTENANCEMENphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPREDICTORSTIMEWOMENNot in File237251Preventive Medicine2120091-7435SAN DIEGO STATE UNIV,GRAD SCH PUBL HLTH,SAN DIEGO,CA 92182
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIV,DEPT POLIT SCI,SAN DIEGO,CA 92182ISI:A1992HK68400008Preventive Medicine1Sallis199963Potential mediators of change in a physical activity promotion course for university students: Project GRADJournal63Potential mediators of change in a physical activity promotion course for university students: Project GRADSallis,J.F.Calfas,K.J.Alcaraz,J.E.Gehrman,C.Johnson,M.F.1999=SPRBARRIERSBEHAVIORBEHAVIOR-CHANGEbehavioral medicineBENEFITSENJOYMENTExerciseFRIENDSHEALTHHEALTH BEHAVIORINTENSITYINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSMALESMEDIATORMENMODELMODELSPERFORMANCEphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPROGRAMREGRESSIONSELF-EFFICACYsocialSOCIAL SUPPORTSTUDENTSSUPPORTtheoryVARIABLESWOMENNot in File149158Annals of Behavioral Medicine2120883-6612San Diego State Univ, Dept Psychol, San Diego, CA 92120 USAISI:000086106000007Annals of Behavioral Medicine1(Sallis et al., 1992a; Sallis et al., 1999) we also examined whether gender may moderate the relationship between social support and physical activity. The main hypotheses for the present study however, was that the proximal predictors from the TPB (intention and perceived behavioural control) and planning variables (action and coping planning) would mediate any observed relationships between social support and regular physical activity.
Method
Design
Data were collected as part of the Student Activity and Lifestyle at Aberdeen (SALSA) study, a prospective cohort study investigating levels and determinants of physical activity and other health behaviors amongst students of a Scottish university. Measurements used for the present analysis were taken in the first two weeks of the academic year (Time 1) and approximately 7 weeks later (Time 2) using a web-based questionnaire ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Skar200836Prediction of behaviour vs. prediction of behaviour change: The role of motivational moderators in the theory of planned behaviour
4Journal36Prediction of behaviour vs. prediction of behaviour change: The role of motivational moderators in the theory of planned behaviour
4Skar,S.Sniehotta,F.F.raujo-Soares,V.Molloy,G.J.2008/10attitudesATTITUDINAL AMBIVALENCECARDIAC REHABILITATIONExerciseHEALTHintentionINTENTIONSLEISURE-TIMELIFEMETAANALYSISPERCEIVED DIFFICULTYPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPREDICTIONQUESTIONNAIREREASONED ACTIONSELF-EFFICACYSTUDENTSVARIABLESNot in File609627Applied Psychology-An International Review-Psychologie Appliquee-Revue Internationale5740269-994XUniv Aberdeen, Univ London Kings Coll, Coll Life Sci & Med, Aberdeen AB24 2UB, Scotland
Robert Gordon Univ, Aberdeen AB9 1FR, Scotland
Alliance Self Care Res, Alliance, OH USA
UCL, London WC1E 6BT, EnglandISI:000257702300005Applied Psychology-An International Review-Psychologie Appliquee-Revue Internationale1(Skar et al., 2008).
Participants and procedure
All resident students of the university (approximately 10,000) received an email invitation to take part in the SALSA online study on a voluntary basis sent by the IT department at the beginning of the academic year. An email with a link to the follow-up questionnaire was sent 7 weeks later. Informed consent was given by 1,418 students. Of these, 887 were female (62.6%), mean age was 22.2 years (range 16 to 62 years), 93.7 per cent of the participants were 30 years old or younger. Ethical approval was granted by the University psychology ethics committee.
Measures
Physical activity
Physical activity was measured at Time 1 and Time 2 using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire -LTEQ ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Godin198543A simple method to assess exercise behavior in the community.Journal (Full)43A simple method to assess exercise behavior in the community.Godin,G.Shephard,R.J1985BEHAVIORExerciseEXERCISE BEHAVIORNot in File141146Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences10Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences32(Godin & Shephard, 1985). A measure of frequency of strenuous physical activity (e.g. heart beats rapidly) over the previous 7 days was used as the dependent variable. Godins LTEQ is one of the best studied self-report measures in both patient ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Motl200846Physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life in multiple sclerosisJournal46Physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life in multiple sclerosisMotl,R.W.Snook,E.M.2008/2BEHAVIORCOMMUNITYDIAGNOSISExerciseHEALTH-STATUSIMPACTLEISURE-TIMELIFEMSmultiple sclerosisphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYpsychologicalquality of lifeQUALITY-OF-LIFEQUESTIONNAIRESCALESELF-EFFICACYsocialsocial cognitiveSUPPORTVALIDITYNot in File111115Annals of Behavioral Medicine3510883-6612Univ Illinois, Dept Kinesiol & Community Hlth, Urbana, IL 61801 USAISI:000253573900013Annals of Behavioral Medicine1(Motl & Snook, 2008) and non-patient groups and has shown satisfactory concurrent validity against accelerometry measures (r>0.30) ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sallis200018Assessment of physical activity by self-report: Status, limitations, and future directionsJournal18Assessment of physical activity by self-report: Status, limitations, and future directionsSallis,J.F.Saelens,B.E.2000/6accelerometerACTIVITY PATTERNSACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIREASSOCIATIONHEALTHLIMITATIONSmeasurementOLDER CHILDRENphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPREVALENCEPUBLIC-HEALTHQUESTIONNAIRERECALLreliabilityVALIDATIONVALIDITYWOMENNot in FileS1S14Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport7120270-1367San Diego State Univ, Dept Psychol, San Diego, CA 92182 USAISI:000087868000002Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport1(Sallis & Saelens, 2000). Frequency of strenuous physical activity was chosen as the dependent variable for this study, as it has been shown to be most reflective of habitual physical activity when compared with more objective measures ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Richardson200188Validation of the stanford 7-Day Recall to assess habitual physical activityJournal88Validation of the stanford 7-Day Recall to assess habitual physical activityRichardson,M.T.Ainsworth,B.E.Jacobs,D.R.Leon,A.S.2001/25-CITY PROJECTaccelerometerACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIREASSOCIATIONASSOCIATIONSDISEASEENERGY-EXPENDITUREExerciseexertionINTENSITYLEISURE-TIMEMENphysical activityphysical activity assessmentPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPORTABLE ACCELEROMETERQUESTIONNAIRERECALLreliabilityRISK-FACTORSSEASONAL-VARIATIONTIMEVALIDATIONVALIDITYWOMENWORKNot in File145153Annals of Epidemiology1121047-2797Univ Alabama, Coll Educ, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 USA
Univ S Carolina, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Exercise Sci, Columbia, SC 29208 USA
Univ S Carolina, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, Columbia, SC 29208 USA
Univ Minnesota, Sch Publ Hlth, Div Epidemiol, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
Univ Minnesota, Coll Educ & Human Dev, Sch Kinesiol & Leisure Studies, Div Kinesiol,Lab Physiol Hyg & Exercise Sci, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USAISI:000166827500009Annals of Epidemiology1(Richardson et al., 2001).
Theory of planned behavior
The proximal predictors of behavior from the theory of planned behavior (a 3-item intention scale and a 4-item perceived behavioral control scale) were measured using the items used by Armitage ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Armitage200567Can the theory of planned behavior predict the maintenance of physical activity?Journal67Can the theory of planned behavior predict the maintenance of physical activity?Armitage,C.J.2005/5ATTITUDEattitudesBEHAVIORExerciseEXERCISE BEHAVIOREXERCISE HABITShabitHEALTHHEALTH BEHAVIORintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSMAINTENANCEMETAANALYSISPARTICIPATIONPAST BEHAVIORPEOPLEPERCEPTIONSPERFORMANCEphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPLANNED BEHAVIORpsychologicalREASONED ACTIONRELAPSEsocialSTAGESURVIVAL ANALYSIStheorytheory of planned behaviorTIMETRANSITIONSTRANSTHEORETICAL MODELNot in File235245Health Psychology2430278-6133Univ Sheffield, Ctr Res Social Attitudes, Dept Psychol, Sheffield S10 2TP, S Yorkshire, EnglandISI:000230136200001Health Psychology1(Armitage, 2005). The intention items were: How often do you intend to take part in regular physical activity? neverfrequently, and I want to exercise regularly definitely do notdefinitely do and an additional third intention item I do not intend to participate in regular physical activity disagree- agree. The perceived behavioural control items were:
To what extent do you see yourself as being capable of participating in regular physical activity? incapablecapable; How confident are you that you will be able to participate in regular physical activity? not very confidentvery confident; I believe I have the ability to participate in regular physical activity. definitely do notdefinitely do; and How much personal control do you feel you have over participating in regular physical activity? no controlcomplete control. Both intention and perceived behavioural control were measured using 7 point scales.
Planning
Action planning was measured using a 5 item scale ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sniehotta200539Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment
9Journal39Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment
9Sniehotta,F.F.Schwarzer,R.Scholz,U.Schuz,B.2005/7ACTION PLANSBARRIERSBEHAVIORCOGNITIONSDISEASEExerciseGermanyHEALTHIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSLIFEphysical exercisePHYSICAL-ACTIVITYplanningPLANSREHABILITATIONWOMENNot in File565576European Journal of Social Psychology3540046-2772Univ Aberdeen, Coll Life Sci & Med, Sch Psychol, Kings Coll, Aberdeen AB24 2UB, Scotland
Free Univ Berlin, D-1000 Berlin, GermanyISI:000230837000008European Journal of Social Psychology1(Sniehotta et al., 2005b). Items began with the stem I have made a detailed plan regarding when to participate in regular physical activity, ... where to participate in regular physical activity, ... how to participate in regular physical activity, how often to participate in regular physical activity, ... with whom to participate in regular physical activity. The responses to the 5 items were on a 7 point scale and ranged from 1 Disagree to 7 Agree. Coping planning was measured using a six item scale ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sniehotta200539Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment
9Journal39Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment
9Sniehotta,F.F.Schwarzer,R.Scholz,U.Schuz,B.2005/7ACTION PLANSBARRIERSBEHAVIORCOGNITIONSDISEASEExerciseGermanyHEALTHIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSLIFEphysical exercisePHYSICAL-ACTIVITYplanningPLANSREHABILITATIONWOMENNot in File565576European Journal of Social Psychology3540046-2772Univ Aberdeen, Coll Life Sci & Med, Sch Psychol, Kings Coll, Aberdeen AB24 2UB, Scotland
Free Univ Berlin, D-1000 Berlin, GermanyISI:000230837000008European Journal of Social Psychology1(Sniehotta et al., 2005b). Items also began with the stem I have made a detailed plan regarding what to do if something interferes with my plans for regular physical activity, ... how to cope with possible setbacks from regular physical activity, what to do in difficult situations in order to act according to my intentions for regular physical activity, which good opportunities for participating in physical activity to take, when I have to pay extra attention to prevent lapses from participating in regular physical activity. The responses to the 5 items were on a 7 point scale and ranged from 1 Disagree to 7 Agree.
Social support for regular physical activity
Social support for physical activity was measured using a 3-item scale that was based on a previous measure ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Sallis198776The Development of Scales to Measure Social Support for Diet and Exercise BehaviorsJournal76The Development of Scales to Measure Social Support for Diet and Exercise BehaviorsSallis,J.F.Grossman,R.M.Pinski,R.B.Patterson,T.L.Nader,P.R.1987/11BEHAVIORBEHAVIORSExerciseEXERCISE BEHAVIOREXERCISE BEHAVIORSSCALESCALESsocialSOCIAL SUPPORTSUPPORTTIMENot in File825836Preventive Medicine1660091-7435SAN DIEGO STATE UNIV,DEPT PSYCHOL,SAN DIEGO,CA 92182ISI:A1987L254600009Preventive Medicine1(Sallis et al., 1987) and was designed to be concordant with the dependent physical activity measure in this study. The items began with the stem In the last week I.....had somebody to encourage me to participate in physical activity on a regular basis, ......had somebody to participate in physical activity with me, ........felt supported in having a regular pattern of physical activity. The responses to the 3 items were on a 7 point scale and ranged from 1 Disagree to 7 Agree.
Statistical analysis
Descriptive statistics were used to examine means, variability and bivariate correlations between the main study measures. Internal consistency for multi-item scales was calculated using Cronbachs alpha. In order to test whether there was an interaction between gender and social support, moderated regression analysis were carried out. A multiple regression model predicting physical activity at time 2 with physical activity at time 1, social support at time 1, gender and a social support by gender interaction term as predictors was carried out. Two multiple mediation analysis were employed to test firstly whether intention and perceived behavioral control and secondly action planning and coping planning significantly mediated the observed associations between social support and regular physical activity at time 2, adjusting for physical activity at time 1. All social cognitive variables used in this analysis were Time 1 measures.
The total effect (weight c) of an independent variable (IV) on a dependent variable (DV) is composed of a direct effect (weight c) of the IV on the DV and an indirect effect (weight axb) of the IV on the DV through a proposed mediator (M). Weight a represents the effects of the IV on the M, whereas weight b is the effect of the M on the DV. In the case of multiple mediators, it is possible to estimate the total indirect effects as well as the specific indirect effects. This analysis was gender stratified following the test for interaction between gender and social support in the multiple regression model predicting physical activity at Time 2. The bootstrapping method outlined by Preacher & Hayes was employed with 5000 bootstrap samples to assess indirect effects ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Preacher200857Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator modelsJournal57Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator modelsPreacher,K.J.Hayes,A.F.2008/8affectCONFIDENCE-INTERVALSINTERVENTIONLIMITSMEDIATORMODELMODELSPERFORMANCEPRODUCTPROGRAMSATISFACTIONSOCIALIZATIONSTRATEGIESSTRUCTURAL-EQUATION MODELSNot in File879891Behavior Research Methods4031554-351XUniv Kansas, Dept Psychol, Lawrence, KS 66045 USA
Ohio State Univ, Columbus, OH 43210 USAISI:000257991700027Behavior Research Methods1(Preacher & Hayes, 2008). The analysis was conducted using SPSS 16 and the multiple mediation macro for SPSS that has been developed by Preacher & Hayes (2008).
Results
Dropout Analysis
Out of the 1,418 participants at baseline, 903 (63.6%) completed the follow-up. Comparisons between variables under investigation revealed that participants that dropped out of the study were not significantly different in terms of age, time 1 levels of Physical activity, PBC or social support. Male participants were more likely to drop out (42%) than females (33%), p = 0.001.
Descriptive Statistics
Table 1 presents means, standard deviations and correlations for the study variables. All variables correlated significantly at the p< .01 level. Cronbachs alphas are presented in table 1 and were satisfactory and comparable to the previous studies ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Armitage200567Can the theory of planned behavior predict the maintenance of physical activity?Journal67Can the theory of planned behavior predict the maintenance of physical activity?Armitage,C.J.2005/5ATTITUDEattitudesBEHAVIORExerciseEXERCISE BEHAVIOREXERCISE HABITShabitHEALTHHEALTH BEHAVIORintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSMAINTENANCEMETAANALYSISPARTICIPATIONPAST BEHAVIORPEOPLEPERCEPTIONSPERFORMANCEphysical activityPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPLANNED BEHAVIORpsychologicalREASONED ACTIONRELAPSEsocialSTAGESURVIVAL ANALYSIStheorytheory of planned behaviorTIMETRANSITIONSTRANSTHEORETICAL MODELNot in File235245Health Psychology2430278-6133Univ Sheffield, Ctr Res Social Attitudes, Dept Psychol, Sheffield S10 2TP, S Yorkshire, EnglandISI:000230136200001Health Psychology1Sniehotta200539Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment
9Journal39Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment
9Sniehotta,F.F.Schwarzer,R.Scholz,U.Schuz,B.2005/7ACTION PLANSBARRIERSBEHAVIORCOGNITIONSDISEASEExerciseGermanyHEALTHIMPLEMENTATION INTENTIONSintentionINTENTIONSINTERVENTIONINTERVENTIONSLIFEphysical exercisePHYSICAL-ACTIVITYplanningPLANSREHABILITATIONWOMENNot in File565576European Journal of Social Psychology3540046-2772Univ Aberdeen, Coll Life Sci & Med, Sch Psychol, Kings Coll, Aberdeen AB24 2UB, Scotland
Free Univ Berlin, D-1000 Berlin, GermanyISI:000230837000008European Journal of Social Psychology1(Armitage, 2005; Sniehotta et al., 2005b). All observed correlations were in the predicted direction and were consistent with previous research ADDIN REFMGR.CITE Courneya20009Social support and the theory of planned behavior in the exercise domainJournal9Social support and the theory of planned behavior in the exercise domainCourneya,K.S.Plotnikoff,R.C.Hotz,S.B.Birkett,N.J.2000/7ADHERENCEADULTSattitudesBEHAVIORCOMMUNITYdemographicDOMAINExerciseEXERCISE INTENTIONIDENTIFYintentionINTENTIONSMODELPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPLANNED BEHAVIORPREDICTIONREGULAR EXERCISEsocialSOCIAL SUPPORTSUPPORTtheory of planned behaviorNot in File300308American Journal of Health Behavior2441087-3244Univ Alberta, Fac Phys Educ, Van Vliet Ctr E401, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H9, Canada
Univ Alberta, Alberta Ctr Well Being, Ctr Hlth Promot Studies, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H9, Canada
Univ Ottawa, Fac Med, Dept Epidemiol & Community Med, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
Univ Ottawa, Sch Psychol, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, CanadaISI:000087954700006American Journal of Health Behavior1(Courneya et al., 2000).
Moderation analysis
Table 2 presents the results of the moderated regression analysis. As indicated in Table 2 the gender by social support interaction term was statistically significant. To probe the gender by social support interaction we plotted regression lines of best fit at high (one standard deviation above the mean) and low levels (one standard deviation below the mean) of social support for men and women. Next, we conducted further tests separately on the male and female lines to determine whether they differed from zero. This revealed that the line for women differed significantly from zero ( = 0 . 1 4 6 , t = 3 . 7 1 6 , p <