scholarly journals Reducing Attrition in Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonine Jancey ◽  
Andy Lee ◽  
Peter Howat ◽  
Ann Clarke ◽  
Kui Wang ◽  
...  

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.

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (13) ◽  
pp. 1850-1862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M Warner ◽  
Julia K Wolff ◽  
Svenja M Spuling ◽  
Susanne Wurm

According to Bandura’s social-cognitive theory, perceptions of somatic and affective barriers are sources of self-efficacy. This longitudinal study compares general indicators of health barriers with measures of perceived somatic and affective barriers to predict self-efficacy and accelerometer-assessed physical activity in a subsample of n = 153 (selected at random from N = 310) community-dwelling German older adults. Perceived somatic and affective barriers longitudinally predicted physical activity mediated by self-efficacy, whereas general health barriers did not. Perceived health barriers to physical activity might be more important than more objective health barriers for older adults’ physical activity levels.


2020 ◽  
pp. 0000-0000
Author(s):  
Jessica F. Baird ◽  
Stephanie L. Silveira ◽  
Robert W. Motl

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.


1997 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward McAuley ◽  
Shannon L. Mihalko ◽  
Karl Rosengren

This study examined relationships among physical activity patterns, self-efficacy, balance, and fear of falling in older adults. Fifty-eight older adults (52-85 years) completed measures of physical activity, self-efficacy, and fear of falling. Subjects then performed the items found in the Berg Balance Scale (Berg, Wood-Dauphinee, Williams, & Maki, 1992). More physically active adults were less fearful of falling, had better balance, and had stronger perceptions of efficacy. Those with better balance were less fearful of falling, and females were more fearful than males. Balance and self-efficacy had significant independent effects on fear, whereas the contribution of history of physical activity was nonsignificant. The findings suggest that behavioral, social cognitive, and biological factors may be important correlates of fear of falling. Further support is provided for the utility of self-efficacy measures in the prediction of fear of falling, although reliance on any one measure to assess this construct may underestimate the role of self-efficacy.


2007 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Annesi

An inference from Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that preadolescents of different ages who participate in a physical activity intervention may respond differently on measures of their physical self and self-efficacy, so a field investigation was conducted to assess effects. In a sample of 105 children ages 8 to 12 yr. (42% boys, overall Mage = 10.1 yr., SD = 0.9), participation in a physical activity intervention during afterschool care, based on social cognitive theory and incorporating instruction in self-management and self-regulatory skills, was associated with significant improvements in measures of exercise-related self-efficacy, perceived physical appearance, and physical self-concept over 12 wk. Analyses suggested, however, no difference in changes on these factors was associated with participants' age or children being in either the concrete operations or formal operations stage of cognitive development. After replication, implications for design of physical activity interventions for preadolescents were suggested.


Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Silveira ◽  
Jessica F. Baird ◽  
Robert W. Motl

Three hundred and sixty-three older adults with multiple sclerosis completed a cross-sectional study examining hierarchical correlates of physical activity using a social cognitive theory perspective within a social ecological model (i.e., built environment, social environment, and individual social cognitive theory variables). Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted, wherein significant associations were noted for built environment (i.e., land-use mix diversity and aesthetics) and physical activity in Step 1 (R2 = .09). Social and built environment were significant correlates in Step 2 (R2 = .15). Finally in Step 3, individual social cognitive theory variables (i.e., self-efficacy and outcome expectations) were the only significant correlates of total physical activity (R2 = .38). Results were comparable for health-promoting physical activity; however, self-efficacy was the only significant correlate in Step 3 (R2 = .36). This study provides guidance for researchers and practitioners on relevant targets for tailoring interventions for older adults with multiple sclerosis and supports an emphasis on self-efficacy as a primary predictor of health behavior change.


Author(s):  
Rakhshan Kamran ◽  
Giulia Coletta ◽  
Janet M. Pritchard

Purpose: The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) suggests health behaviour can be modified by enhancing knowledge of health benefits and outcome expectations of changing behaviour, improving self-efficacy (confidence), and developing goals to overcome barriers to behaviour change. This study aimed to determine the impact of student-led nutrition workshops on participants’ confidence related to SCT constructs for making dietary choices that align with evidence-based nutrition recommendations. Methods: Level-4 Science students developed and delivered 9 workshops on nutrition recommendations for the prevention and management of age-related diseases. Participants attending the workshops completed pre- and post-surveys to assess SCT constructs. For each SCT construct, participants rated their confidence on a 10-point Likert scale. The number (%) of participants who rated their confidence as ≥8/10 on the pre- and post-surveys were compared using the χ2 test. Results: Sixty-three community members (60% female, mean ± SD age 71 ± 7 years) attended the workshops. The number of participants rating confidence as ≥8/10 for each SCT construct increased after the workshops (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Undergraduate students can positively influence community members’ confidence for making nutrition-related decisions. Involving students in interventions where SCT-structured workshops are used may help conserve health care resources and reach older adults who may not have access to dietitian services.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassam Waheed

Purpose An ageing population comes with its own set of challenges such as impaired financial capacity and resultant dependency on others to manage financial affairs. Dependency, in turn, as the evidence suggests, creates opportunities for financial exploitation of older adults. Related studies have primarily examined the clinical features and correlates of financial capacity or have attempted to develop its multidimensional measures. Both of which do little to resolve issues associated with impaired financial capacity. This paper aims to make a case for future researchers to assess older adults’ financial capacity from a non-clinical aspect. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the notion of self-efficacy, as encapsulated within the social cognitive theory, this paper presents evidence from a host of different domains to demonstrate the potential contributions of self-efficacy to older adults’ financial capacity. Findings The contributions of self-efficacy in preserving older adults’ financial capacity appear to be much more profound than is currently acknowledged in the literature, thereby overlooking potentially promising and cost-effective interventions for autonomous ageing. Originality/value This paper presents a novel application of self-efficacy to autonomous ageing. Within this context, potential routes to the deployment of self-efficacy-based interventions are also discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah D. Asebedo ◽  
Martin C. Seay

This study investigates the relationship between financial self-efficacy (FSE) and saving behavior within a sample of 847 U.S. pre-retirees aged 50 to 70 from the Health and Retirement Study. In accordance with the social cognitive theory of self-regulation, results revealed that FSE is positively related to saving behavior after controlling for sociodemographic attributes, financial characteristics, and saving motives. Understanding how FSE contributes to saving behavior is critical as older workers attempt to bridge the retirement saving gap. Financial counselors and planners can help this population save by cultivating and supporting clients’ FSE throughout the financial planning and counseling process.


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