Correlates of Physical Activity in Urban African American Adults and Older Adults: Testing the Social Cognitive Theory

Social cognitive theory and the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior were examined in the prediction of 4 weeks of physical activity participation. The theories of reasoned action and planned behavior were supported. Attitude and perceived control predicted intention, and intention predicted physical activity participation. The social cognitive theory variables significantly predicted physical activity participation, with self-efficacy and self-evaluation of the behavior significantly contributing to the prediction. The greater the confidence in participating in physical activity and the greater the satisfaction with present physical activity, the more physical activity performed. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that perceived control and intentions did not account for any unique variation in physical activity participation over self-efficacy. Therefore the social cognitive theory constructs were better predictors of physical activity than those from the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior.

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Exploring Maternal and Children Perspectives Towards Healthy Eating and Active Living in Lebanon: A Qualitative Study

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_023 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 115-115

Author(s):

Myriam Dagher ◽

Tamar Kabakian-Khasholian ◽

Lara Nasreddine ◽

Lamis Jomaa

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Public Schools ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Eating Habits ◽

American University ◽

The Social ◽

Depth Interviews

Abstract Objectives To explore the perspectives and experiences of children and their mothers towards healthy eating habits and regular physical activity in Lebanon and to identify potential strategies that can be recommended for future interventions to promote healthy lifestyles among children. Methods Qualitative research methodology and the social cognitive theory were used. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with children (aged 10–11 years) and their mothers, respectively, from two private and one public schools in Beirut, Lebanon. Thematic inductive analytical approach was adopted. Results A total of six FGDs and 11 in-depth interviews with mothers were conducted from February till November 2020. Four main overarching themes emerged. Theme 1 pertained to the different views of children and mothers regarding the meaning of healthy eating and physical activity and their perceived impact on children's wellbeing. Theme 2 revealed a set of intrapersonal, social, and environmental determinants, which were reported differently between children and their mothers. Participants in our study who were interviewed after the COVID-19 pandemic talked about how their eating habits were adversely affected as a result of the sudden changes in daily schedules, boredom and anxiety. Theme 3 reflected the role of schools and sports facilities in setting a good example for children's healthy eating and active behaviors. Theme 4 revolved around participants’ suggestions to receive support for healthy eating and lifestyle habits at multiple levels, including intrapersonal, family/social, community, and policy-level strategies. Our findings highlight the importance of using theory-driven interventions, such as the social cognitive theory, to improve long-term health behaviors. Conclusions Findings highlight the multiple influences that pertain to children's eating and activity habits and shed light on the need to use child- and parental-driven strategies in the planning and development of programs to promote children's health and wellbeing. Funding Sources This study was partially funded by the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the American University of Beirut.

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A Culturally Relevant Smartphone-Delivered Physical Activity Intervention for African American Women: Development and Initial Usability Tests of Smart Walk

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/15346 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e15346

Author(s):

Rodney P Joseph ◽

Colleen Keller ◽

Sonia Vega-López ◽

Marc A Adams ◽

Rebekah English ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

African American ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Culturally Relevant ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Usability Testing ◽

Smartphone App ◽

Intervention Phase

Background Smart Walk is a culturally relevant, social cognitive theory–based, smartphone-delivered intervention designed to increase physical activity (PA) and reduce cardiometabolic disease risk among African American (AA) women. Objective This study aimed to describe the development and initial usability testing results of Smart Walk. Methods Smart Walk was developed in 5 phases. Phases 1 to 3 focused on initial intervention development, phase 4 involved usability testing, and phase 5 included intervention refinement based on usability testing results. In phase 1, a series of 9 focus groups with 25 AA women (mean age 38.5 years, SD 7.8; mean BMI 39.4 kg/m2, SD 7.3) was used to identify cultural factors associated with PA and ascertain how constructs of social cognitive theory can be leveraged in the design of a PA intervention. Phase 2 included the analysis of phase 1 qualitative data and development of the structured PA intervention. Phase 3 focused on the technical development of the smartphone app used to deliver the intervention. Phase 4 consisted of a 1-month usability trial of Smart Walk (n=12 women; mean age 35.0 years, SD 8.5; mean BMI 40 kg/m2, SD 5.0). Phase 5 included refinement of the intervention based on the usability trial results. Results The 5-phase process resulted in the development of the Smart Walk smartphone-delivered PA intervention. This PA intervention was designed to target social cognitive theory constructs of behavioral capability, outcome expectations, social support, self-efficacy, and self-regulation and address deep structure sociocultural characteristics of collectivism, racial pride, and body appearance preferences of AA women. Key features of the smartphone app included (1) personal profile pages, (2) multimedia PA promotion modules (ie, electronic text and videos), (3) discussion boards, and (4) a PA self-monitoring tool. Participants also received 3 PA promotion text messages each week. Conclusions The development process of Smart Walk was designed to maximize the usability, cultural relevance, and impact of the smartphone-delivered PA intervention.

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Examining social-cognitive theory constructs as mediators of behaviour change in the active team smartphone physical activity program: a mediation analysis

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-10100-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amelia V. Romeo ◽

Sarah M. Edney ◽

Ronald C. Plotnikoff ◽

Tim Olds ◽

Corneel Vandelanotte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Behaviour Change ◽

Mediation Analysis ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Trial Registration ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

The Social ◽

Objectively Measured

Abstract Background Regular engagement in physical activity has well-established physical and psychological health benefits. Despite this, over a quarter of the global adult population is insufficiently physically active. Physical activity interventions grounded in behaviour change theory, such as the social-cognitive theory, are widely considered to be more effective than non-theoretical approaches. Such interventions set out to intervene on the ultimate outcome (physical activity), but also influence intermediate factors (social-cognitive theory constructs) which in turn, are believed to influence physical activity behaviour. The primary aim of the study was to use mediation analysis to examine whether changes in the social-cognitive theory and related constructs, in particular self-efficacy, outcome expectations, intentions, barriers and goal setting, mediated the effects of a smartphone-based social networking physical activity intervention. Methods Mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS Macro in SPSS to (i) calculate the regression coefficients for the effect of the independent variable (group allocation) on the hypothesised mediators (social-cognitive theory constructs), (ii) calculate the regression coefficient for the effect of the hypothesised mediators (social-cognitive theory constructs) on the dependent variable (objectively measured physical activity or self-report physical activity), independent of group assignment and (iii) determine the total, direct and indirect intervention effects. Results Data from 243 participants were included in the mediation analysis. There was no evidence of mediation for change in objectively measured MVPA or self-reported MVPA. Conclusions There was no conclusive evidence that any of the social-cognitive theory constructs mediated the relationship between an app-based intervention and change in physical activity. Ongoing efforts to develop and understand components that make physical activity app-based interventions effective are recommended. Trial registration This trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12617000113358, date of registration 23 January, 2017).

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Reducing Attrition in Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.15.2.152 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 152-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Jonine Jancey ◽

Andy Lee ◽

Peter Howat ◽

Ann Clarke ◽

Kui Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Early Assessment ◽

Physically Active ◽

Lower Socioeconomic ◽

The Social

This study investigated attrition in a 6-month physical activity intervention for older adults. The program was based on the social-cognitive theory incorporating self-efficacy factors. Two hundred forty-eight insufficiently active 65- to 74-year-olds were recruited from the Australian federal electoral roll. The intervention comprised walking and strength and flexibility exercises and was conducted in 30 local neighborhoods where the participants resided. Characteristics of individuals lost to attrition (n= 86, 35%) were compared with those of program completers (n= 162, 65%). Logistic-regression analysis showed that those lost to attrition came from areas of lower socioeconomic status, were overweight and less physically active, and had lower walking self-efficacy scores and higher loneliness scores. The results suggest that early assessment of these characteristics should be undertaken to identify individuals at risk of attrition, to improve retention, and to avoid potential bias.

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Social Cognitive Theory and Physical Activity in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

International Journal of MS Care ◽

10.7224/1537-2073.2019-071 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 0000-0000

Author(s):

Jessica F. Baird ◽

Stephanie L. Silveira ◽

Robert W. Motl

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Goal Setting ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Behavioral Interventions ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Bivariate Correlation

Abstract Background: The expanding population of older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) likely experience many of the same benefits of physical activity as younger and middle-aged adults with MS. However, participation in physical activity is exceedingly low in this particular segment of the MS population. This study examined variables from social cognitive theory (SCT) as correlates of physical activity in older adults with MS, as this might inform the subsequent development of behavioral interventions. Methods: Older adults with MS (≥60 years, N = 180) completed an online survey including demographics and clinical characteristics, SCT variables (exercise self-efficacy, exercise goal setting, social support, and outcome expectations), and physical activity (total physical activity (PA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)). Results: Bivariate correlation analyses indicated that all SCT variables were significantly associated with both PA and MVPA (all P values ≤ .001). Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that disability status was a significant correlate of PA (β = −0.48; R2 = 0.23) and MVPA (β = −0.44; R2 = 0.19) in Step 1; disability and self-efficacy were significant correlates of PA (disability β = −0.20; self-efficacy β = 0.59; R2 = 0.50) and MVPA (disability β = −0.16; self-efficacy β = 0.60; R2 = 0.47) in Step 2; and disability, self-efficacy, and exercise goal setting were significant correlates of PA (disability β = −0.21; self-efficacy β = 0.50; exercise goal setting β = 0.14; R2 = 0.55) and MVPA (disability β = −0.17; self-efficacy β = 0.51; exercise goal setting β = 0.15; R2 = 0.51) in Step 3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that behavioral interventions targeting self-efficacy and exercise goal setting as targets from SCT may be appropriate for increasing physical activity in older adults with MS.

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