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