TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding physical activity intentions and behavior in postmenopausal women
T2 - An application of the theory of planned behavior
AU - Vallance, Jeff K.
AU - Murray, Terra C.
AU - Johnson, Steven T.
AU - Elavsky, Steriani
N1 - Funding Information:
Acknowledgments This study was supported by a research incentive grant from Athabasca University.
PY - 2011/6
Y1 - 2011/6
N2 - Background In the present paper, we report the social cognitive correlates of physical activity (PA) intentions in postmenopausal women using the two-component theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework. Purpose The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the utility of the TPB in understanding PA behavior in postmenopausal women. Method Postmenopausal women (N=297) residing in Southern Alberta, Canada completed a mailed questionnaire that assessed self-reported PA and TPB constructs. Results Data indicated that 67% of postmenopausal women intended to engage in PA behavior consistent with the public health PA guidelines. Multiple regression analysis suggested that the TPB model explained 44% of the variance in PA intentions with instrumental attitude (β= 0.33), affective attitude (β=0.29), descriptive norm (β= 0.19), and self-efficacy (β=0.24) making significant contributions to PA intentions. Postmenopausal women meeting PA guidelines reported higher scores across all TPB variables when compared to women not meeting PA guidelines. Unique behavioral, normative, and control beliefs were also elicited. Conclusion The two-component TPB framework appears to be a useful model for understanding PA intentions and behavior in postmenopausal women. These data can be used in the development and establishment of PA behavior intervention and health promotion materials designed to facilitate PA intentions and behavior in postmenopausal women.
AB - Background In the present paper, we report the social cognitive correlates of physical activity (PA) intentions in postmenopausal women using the two-component theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework. Purpose The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the utility of the TPB in understanding PA behavior in postmenopausal women. Method Postmenopausal women (N=297) residing in Southern Alberta, Canada completed a mailed questionnaire that assessed self-reported PA and TPB constructs. Results Data indicated that 67% of postmenopausal women intended to engage in PA behavior consistent with the public health PA guidelines. Multiple regression analysis suggested that the TPB model explained 44% of the variance in PA intentions with instrumental attitude (β= 0.33), affective attitude (β=0.29), descriptive norm (β= 0.19), and self-efficacy (β=0.24) making significant contributions to PA intentions. Postmenopausal women meeting PA guidelines reported higher scores across all TPB variables when compared to women not meeting PA guidelines. Unique behavioral, normative, and control beliefs were also elicited. Conclusion The two-component TPB framework appears to be a useful model for understanding PA intentions and behavior in postmenopausal women. These data can be used in the development and establishment of PA behavior intervention and health promotion materials designed to facilitate PA intentions and behavior in postmenopausal women.
KW - Beliefs
KW - Intentions
KW - Physical activity
KW - Postmenopause
KW - Theory of planned behavior
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79960166703&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s12529-010-9100-2
DO - 10.1007/s12529-010-9100-2
M3 - Journal Article
C2 - 20496171
AN - SCOPUS:79960166703
SN - 1070-5503
VL - 18
SP - 139
EP - 149
JO - International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
JF - International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
IS - 2
ER -