Exercising for two: examining pregnant women''s second trimester exercise intention and behavior using the framework of the theory of planned behavior

Research examining the motivational determinants of exercising during pregnancy is mostly atheoretical, despite the need for theory-based designs. The study's main objective was to prospectively examine women's exercise intention and behavior from their second to third pregnancy trimester using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Participants were 89 pregnant women who completed self-reported measures of their exercise attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, intention, and behavior. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated: 1) intention and not perceived behavioral control significantly predicted exercise behavior; and 2) attitude was the strongest determinant of exercise intention, followed by perceived behavioral control, and subjective norm. The study findings provide preliminary support for the TPB as an effective framework for examining exercising during pregnancy. Understanding women's thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about exercise can assist intervention specialists with developing and implementing effective programs promoting exercise during pregnancy.     

“Social Networkout”: Connecting Social Features of Wearable Fitness Trackers with Physical Exercise

Despite widespread understanding of the benefits of physical activity, many adults in the United States do not meet recommended exercise guidelines. Burgeoning technologies, including wearable fitness trackers (e.g., Fitbit, Apple watch), bring new opportunities to influence physical activity by encouraging users to track and share physical activity data and compete against their peers. However, research has not explored the social processes that mediate the relationship between the use of wearable fitness trackers and intention to exercise. In this study, we applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) to explore the effects of two communicative features of wearable fitness devices—social sharing and social competing—on individuals’ intention to exercise. Drawing upon surveys from 238 wearable fitness tracker users, we found that the relationship between the two communication features (social sharing and competing) and exercise intention was mediated by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The results suggest that the ways in which exercise data are shared significantly influence the exercise intentions, and these intentions are mediated by individuals’ evaluation of exercise, belief about important others’ approval of exercise, and perceived control upon exercise.     

Three independent factors predicted adherence in a randomized controlled trial of resistance exercise training among prostate cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE: To examine predictors of adherence in a randomized controlled trial of resistance exercise training (RET) in prostate cancer survivors receiving androgen deprivation therapy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A randomized controlled trial conducted at fitness centers in Ottawa and Edmonton, Canada. Prostate cancer survivors (n=155) completed measures of social cognitive variables, quality of life (QOL), behavior, and fitness before being randomized to either an exercise (n=82) or control (n=73) group. The exercise group was asked to perform supervised RET three times per week for 12 weeks. RESULTS: The exercise group attended 28.2 of the 36 (78.3%) RET sessions. Univariate analyses revealed eight different significant (Ps <.05) predictors of exercise adherence including exercise stage of change, intention, age, QOL, fatigue, subjective norm, leg-press test, and perceived behavioral control. A multivariate analysis indicated that there were three independent predictors of adherence that explained 20.4% of the variance: exercise stage of change (beta=0.26; P=.013), age (beta=-0.22; P=.037), and intention (beta=0.19; P=.073). CONCLUSION: Exercise adherence in the trial was very good but not optimal. Adherence was predicted by variables from many different categories including social cognitive, QOL, behavioral, fitness, and demographic. These findings may have important implications for maximizing adherence during clinical trials of exercise in prostate cancer survivors.     

Determinants of participation in a health education and exercise program on television

BACKGROUND: The daily television program 'the Netherlands on the Move' (NOM-tv), which primarily targets people aged over 55 (estimated Dutch 55+ population: 4 million), was designed as part of a national campaign for promoting physical activity. The aim of the study was to identify the determinants of exercise participation and viewing NOM-tv. METHODS: The method used was baseline test by quota digit dialing in the country (n = 988, stratified age 35+ and 55+), and follow-up after 7 months (n = 362). The main outcome measures are: intention and actual participation in exercises. The determinants are: attitude, social influences, self-efficacy, age, sex, education, knowledge about the health effects of exercise, habits, stage of change in exercising, and perceived barriers. The backgrounds were: marital status, living situation, mental health and vitality. RESULTS: NOM-tv attracted at least 21% of the physically non-active people at baseline to viewing and increased knowledge. The best predictors of intention to participate were: attitude, social influences, self-efficacy, age and gender. Actual participation was best predicted by age (higher), gender (female), intention, knowledge, and the (lower) number of perceived barriers. CONCLUSIONS: NOM-tv is a successful (high number of viewers) and relatively cheap way of getting inactive, older people-especially women-to exercise.     

Blood pressure concordance between spouses

In 1982, 4,474 noninstitutionalized residents of Connecticut who were 18 years or older were interviewed as part of the Connecticut High Blood Pressure Program. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of hypertension among the 2.1 million adults in the state. Spouse correlations for systolic and diastolic blood pressures were examined in 1,260 white spouse pairs. Upon demonstrating a significant correlation in blood pressure between spouses (r = 0.262 for systolic and 0.248 for diastolic, p less than 0.001), subsequent stepwise multiple regressions were used to determine which aspects of the shared marital environment might influence the spouse concordance. Variables related to each spouse as well as variables reflecting similarity between spouses were analyzed. When spouse concordance in blood pressure was examined controlling for age, obesity, dietary salt intake, socioeconomic status, income, education, occupation, smoking, and exercise of both spouses and similarities in these variables, the correlations between spouses' blood pressures remained significant.     

Predicting older adults' maintenance in exercise participation using an integrated social psychological model

Little is known about the predictors of maintenance in organized exercise programmes. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioral predictors of maintenance of exercise participation in older adults, using an integrated social psychological model. To this end, we carried out a prospective cohort study (n = 1,725; age 50 years or older) involving 10 different types of exercise programmes, with measurements at baseline and after 6 months. Predictors of intention to continue participating and the actual maintenance of exercise participation in the exercise programme were assessed using a step-wise logistic regression model. Significant odds ratios (ORs) predicting the intention to continue with the exercise programme were found for female sex, younger age, being married, being a non-smoker, being in paid employment, having a positive attitude towards exercise and having a high self-efficacy at baseline. Significant ORs predicting actual maintenance of exercise participation were short lapses, absence of lapses, high intention at baseline, high perceived quality of the programme, positive attitude at baseline and few risk situations at baseline. In order to promote maintenance of exercise participation for older adults, effort should be taken to prevent lapses, to help people cope with risk situations for lapses, to improve the attitude towards exercise participation and to improve the quality of the programme.     

Nutrition information needs during cardiac rehabilitation: perceptions of the cardiac patient and spouse

A survey instrument, which was developed from personal interviews with participants in a cardiac rehabilitation program, was administered at two hospital-based Phase II cardiac rehabilitation programs. Thirty-five patients (28 men, 7 women) and 29 spouses (5 men, 24 women) responded to survey items designed to investigate how subjects perceived themselves dealing with the cardiac diet, what questions they were asking, and how answers to those questions would help them. Subjects in the patient group (which was 80% male) most frequently asked questions dealing with compliance and the diet's benefits. Subjects in the spouse group (which was 83% female) most frequently asked questions relating to food selection. Participants indicated that having their questions answered would help them make decisions, be motivated, feel in control, and plan. Participants' overall attitude toward the diet was positive because patients were willing to make changes in their diet; however, more than half the sample thought food labels were difficult to understand and grocery shopping was difficult. We conclude that nutrition education programs that address individual needs and uses for nutrition information could enhance the learning process in group settings such as cardiac rehabilitation programs.     

Understanding pedestrians' road crossing decisions: an application of the theory of planned behaviour.

This paper reports a study applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to the prediction of pedestrians' road crossing intentions. Respondents (N = 210) completed questionnaires which included scenarios of three potentially dangerous road crossing behaviours, followed by measures of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, self-identity and intention. The results indicated that the social psychological variables under consideration were able to explain between 39 and 52% of the variance in intentions to cross the road in the manner depicted in the scenarios. The perceived behavioural control component of the TPB emerged as the strongest predictor of pedestrians' intentions, suggesting that perceptions of control have an important role to play in road safety behaviour. The results are discussed in relation to the predictive utility of the TPB in this area and possible interventions to encourage safe road crossing behaviour.     

基于计划行为理论注册护士帮助住院患者戒烟行为的研究

目的 基于计划行为理论探究注册护士帮助住院患者戒烟行为及其影响因素,为采取有效干预措施促进注册护士帮助住院患者戒烟行为提供理论依据。方法 以计划行为理论的问卷编制框架为指导,从行为态度、主观规范、感知行为控制、行为意愿、行为五个方面编制注册护士帮助住院患者戒烟问卷,经过信度与效度检验后,使用正式问卷对638名护士进行调查,并通过结构方程模型验证所构建的理论模型。结果 基于计划行为理论,注册护士帮助住院患者戒烟的模型解释了护士帮助行为和行为意愿方差变异的43.00%和36.00%,行为意愿的直接作用与感知行为控制的间接作用对帮助行为产生的影响明显。结论 针对性地改善行为意愿和感知行为控制是对护士帮助住院患者戒烟行为进行干预的重点。     

An exploration of spousal separation and adaptation to long-term disability: six elderly couples engaged in a horticultural programme

The main objective of the present study was to explore the impact of separation on couples where one spouse lives in a skilled nursing facility and the other spouse lives alone in the community. Six couples participated in a 10-week gardening group. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at the beginning of the study and observations were made and discussions engaged through the 10-week horticultural programme. Thematic analysis of interviews and discussions revealed reduced social participation of community-dwelling spouses in an effort to maintain their marital role. In one or more cases the non-institutionalized spouse adapted to separation by developing social roles and relationships within the skilled nursing facility and continuing as a caregiver to their spouse. Occupational therapists are encouraged to include spouses in programmes to nurture healthy spousal roles. Further research is needed to explore how elderly couples may support each other through purposeful occupation while one spouse is in a long-term care facility.     

The Edgecombe County High Blood Pressure Control Program: III. Social support, social stressors, and treatment dropout.

In a hypertension prevalence survey of a stratified random sample of 1,000 households, 2,030 adults (aged 18 years and over) were interviewed and information on psychosocial variables collected. Among 359 hypertensives, there was a consistent relationship between indicators of difficulty in the social environment and dropout from treatment in women. Compared to those who remained in treatment, women who dropped out can be characterized as having less social support on the job, having less perceived spouse approval (if married), having a lower level of perceived access to supportive resources, and being more likely to report feeling pushed most or all of the time if they are homemakers. Relationships between indicators of social support and dropout from treatment in men were found only with support on the job, and for White men, with perceived friend approval.     

Exercise and diet determinants of overweight women participating in an exercise and diet program: a prospective examination of the theory of planned behavior

The purpose of this study was to examine prospectively the ability of direct and belief-based measures of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs to predict exercise and diet intention and behavior of overweight women. Participants were 117 overweight, community-dwelling women and university students enrolled in a 4-week exercise and diet program. Participants completed baseline measures of demographic characteristics and the TPB constructs. Their exercise and diet adherence were also recorded. We found that: (1) the direct measure of perceived behavioral control (PBC) predicted exercise intention, (2) the direct measures of instrumental attitude, subjective norm, and PBC predicted diet intention, and (3) none of the direct or belief-based measures of the TPB constructs predicted 4-week exercise or diet behavior. Furthermore, several beliefs were associated with the direct measures of attitude, subjective norm, PBC, and intention. Implications of these results for designing exercise and diet interventions with overweight women are discussed.     

The cognitive profile of those who intend to exercise but do not

The purpose of this study was to identify the cognitive profile of people who intend to exercise but fail to carry out this intention. A theoretical framework was adopted to study the attitudinal beliefs of these persons about exercise, their evaluation of the associated consequences, and their normative beliefs and motivation to comply with these norms. Subjects were classified according to the congruence between stated intention and self-reported exercise behavior 2 months later in this way: positive intention and congruent behavior (CONG+, N = 74). positive intention and incongruent behavior (INCONG-, N = 45). negative intention and congruent behavior (CONG-, N = 42). negative intention and incongruent behavior (N = 2, not analyzed). MANOVA analysis indicated little difference between the cognitive profiles of inactive and active positive intenders. Relative to the CONG+ group, the INCONG- group perceived that regular exercise would be "tiring" (P less than 0.001) and "time consuming" (P less than 0.001); they also placed less value on the consequence of "being healthy" (P less than 0.05). Both groups differed from the CONG- group. As would be expected, those with positive intentions to exercise identified more advantages to being physically active. It appears that sedentary positive intenders perceived the exercise behavior as physically demanding and had difficulty in reconciling the time demands of an exercise program with their weekly schedules. This observation suggests that these two beliefs should be considered for the promotion of physical activity as well as the investigation of influential social and environmental variables.     

Predicting Participation in Group Parenting Education in an Australian Sample: The Role of Attitudes, Norms, and Control Factors

We examined the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in predicting intentions to participate in group parenting education. One hundred and seventy-six parents (138 mothers and 38 fathers) with a child under 12 years completed TPB items assessing attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and two additional social influence variables (self-identity and group norm). Regression analyses supported the TPB predictors of participation intentions with self-identity and group norm also significantly predicting intentions. Editors’ Strategic Implications: These findings provide preliminary support for the TPB, in conjunction with additional sources of social influence, as a predictive model for participation in parent education and other prevention programs.     

The quality of life of spouse dementia caregivers: changes associated with yielding to formal care and widowhood

The focus of the study was the effect on spouse dementia caregivers of relinquishing care. The study used a longitudinal design, in which a group of 150 dementia caregivers were interviewed 2 years apart (designated Time 1 and Time 2), with data collected from both continuing caregivers and those who had relinquished care. The aims were to determine the extent to which changes over time in quality of life differed between continuing caregivers, those who had yielded to formal care, and those who had been widowed; and to examine whether change in quality of life variables was associated with time since yielding to formal care and time since death of the spouse. Quality of life was defined in terms of health status, psychological well-being, and activity participation. All participants were interviewed in their own homes. Three groups of participants were identified at Time 2: those who continued to provide care for their spouses (n=60); those who had yielded their caregiver role by admitting their spouses to permanent residential care (n=53); and those who had admitted their spouses to permanent institutional care, but whose spouse had then died (n=37). Different patterns of quality of life changes were observed between the three groups, with both positives and negatives associated with disengagement from the caregiving role. Positive changes were particularly evident in psychological well-being and activity participation. These findings were discussed in terms of their relevance for a life transitions approach to the relinquishment of caregiving.     

Examining community pharmacists’ intention to provide pharmacist-driven vaccination services: A structural equation modelling

BackgroundThe evidence of pharmacists' current involvement in vaccination services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is uncertain. This study would be a first step to develop vaccination services by investigating community pharmacists’ intention to be involved in PDV services not just during COVID-19 pandemic but also during standard service provision in Turkey which can be taken as an example across LMICs.ObjectiveConsidering the efforts to empower community pharmacists in service provision, the goal of the present study was to develop a structural equation model to explain the “Pharmacist-Driven Vaccination Service Intention Model (PDV-SIM)” by using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).MethodsBased on the constructs of TPB, a measurement tool was developed. Sub-factors of PDV service intention was determined by conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA). In the second step, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to prove the theoretical structure of the tool. Finally, a model explaining the relationship between observed variables, latent constructs from TPB was developed by SEM analysis.ResultsIn the proposed PDV-SIM, patient related attitude toward PDV services, attitude toward negative consequences of PDV services, and subjective norm about PDV services had an impact on the behavioral intention of community pharmacists. Nevertheless, professional development attitude toward PDV services and perceived behavioral control were not evaluated as determinants of the behavioral intention.ConclusionResults of this study revealed that TPB is appropriate for modelling PDV service intention of community pharmacists. This model can be utilized as a guide to potential pharmacy regulatory bodies and policy makers in their efforts to enable community pharmacists as vaccinators across LMICs.     

Unraveling the Determinants of Cancer Patients’ Intention to Express Concerns

Little is known about the behavioral determinants that underlie cancer patients’ intention to express concerns during a consultation. This information can be relevant to developing effective interventions for cancer patients. In this study, the integrative model of behavioral prediction (IMBP) is used as a framework to unravel the determinants of patients’ intention to express concerns. The objectives of this study are to examine which of the IMBP determinants (attitude, perceived social norm, and/or self-efficacy) are significantly related to intention and what content of these determinants can be targeted to effect a change in patients’ intention. An online survey based on the IMBP determinants was distributed. A total of 236 cancer patients and cancer survivors participated. The results of the survey showed that patients’ attitudes and perceived social norm were the most important determinants of their intention to express concerns. The largest change in patients’ intention might be achieved by targeting the affective attitude, referring to the extent to which patients believe that expressing concerns is (un)pleasant, and the social norm, referring to the extent to which patients feel (un)supported by significant others in expressing concerns.     

A multivariate study of determinants of vigorous exercise in a community sample

The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between several social learning theory variables and self-reported vigorous exercise and to consider the implications for exercise promotion. A random sample of adults in San Diego, California, was surveyed by mail. The 2,053 respondents (response rate, 43.4%) overrepresented Caucasian, affluent, and well-educated groups. A model of 24 variables accounted for 0.27 of the variance in exercise, and results strongly supported social learning theory. The strongest correlates were self-efficacy (i.e., confidence in the ability to exercise in specific situations), perceived barriers to exercise, modeling, dietary habits, support from friends, and age. Smoking was inversely associated with exercise in men only. We encourage researchers to conduct intervention trials to test the hypotheses generated in this study.     

Regular Exercise in 30- to 60-Year-Old Men: Combining The Stages-of-Change Model and The Theory of Planned Behavior to Identify Determinants for Targeting Heart Health Interventions

The theory of planned behavior and the stages-of-change model were used to gain a clearer understanding of the factors associated with regular exercise in order to plan more effective programs in heart disease prevention. The study was conducted using a self-administered postal questionnaire sent to a sample of 2,269 men 30 to 60 years of age. Nearly a quarter (23.3%) of respondents were physically inactive, of whom 10.5% were in the precontemplation and 12.8% in the contemplation stages ; 42.1% exercised less than twice a week, of whom 22.4% were in the preparation I and 19.7% in the preparation II stages. Only 34.6% were in the action stage, exercising regularly for at least 20 minutes twice a week or more with the intention of continuing to do so. Logistic regression indicated that the variables derived from the theory of planned behavior, namely attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control, were differently associated with the stages of behavior. Perceived behavioral control was strongly significant in all stages. Attitude was related with stages in which individuals have intention of exercising (contemplation and preparation II). In contrast, subjective norm seemed to be associated with stages in which individuals have no intention of doing so (precontemplation and preparation I). By identifying the specific needs of sub-groups, the results can help define programs most likely to accelerate men to the stage of regular exercise, part of an effective strategy for heart health promotion in this high-risk population.     

农村产妇配偶产前的心理状态调查

目的:了解农村产妇配偶产前的心理状态,为农村妇幼保健工作提供依据。方法:对63名农村产妇配偶用状态-特质焦虑量表进行调查,并用SPSS 11.5统计软件包进行统计分析。结果:农村产妇配偶状态焦虑总分与国内正常成年男性常模比较有极显著性差异(P<0.01);不同年龄、不同文化程度、不同产次的农村产妇配偶的状态焦虑得分比较有显著性差异(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.05);是否独生子女、有无分娩知识的农村产妇配偶的状态焦虑得分比较也有显著性差异(P<0.01);而经济收入不同、是否初婚者,其得分比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:农村产妇配偶产前普遍具有不同程度的焦虑情绪,提示临床工作者应重视产妇配偶的心理状态,改善其负性情绪状态,提高其心身健康水平。