Relation of self efficacy, encouragment, and neighbourhood influence to the physical activity of emerging adults
Authors
McCabe, Michael
Issue Date
2013
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
An understanding of the moderators that shape physical activity behaviour during emerging adulthood and how they apply differently to men and women is necessary to prevent adult obesity. A correlational design was used to deliver a cross-sectional survey with measures of self-efficacy, encouragement, neighbourhood influence, age, and gender to 181 emerging adults. The model predicted 25% of the variance in physical activity with self-efficacy ( B =.379) and encouragement (B = .244) being the strongest predictors. Whereas men and women had different patterns of self-efficacy and physical activity, gender did not predict physical activity. This study suggests that multilevel interventions designed specifically for emerging adults to provide continuity between adolescent and adult physical activity should consider the influences of modifiable psychosocial factors