Gaston Godin

The pattern of influence of perceived behavioral control upon exercising behavior: an application of Ajzen's theory of planned behavior

The aim of the present studies was to verify the basic assumptions underlying the theory of planned behavior for the prediction of exercising intentions and behavior among adults of the general population (study 1) and a group of pregnant women (study 2). In both studies, baseline data were collected at home with trained interviewers and with the use of paper-and-pencil questionnaires. The self-report on behavior was obtained 6 months (study 1) and between 8 and 9 months (study 2) after baseline data collection. In study 1, perceived behavioral control influenced behavior only through intention. In study 2, none of the Ajzen model variables was associated to exercising behavior. Nonetheless, intention was influenced by attitude, habit, and perceived behavioral control. The results of the present studies suggest that perceived behavioral control contributes to the understanding of intentions to exercise but not to the prediction of exercising behavior.

Psychosocial determinants of fruit and vegetable intake in adult population: a systematic review

BackgroundAccumulating evidence suggests that fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) plays a protective role against major diseases. Despite this protective role and the obesity pandemic context, populations in Western countries usually eat far less than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. In order to increase the efficiency of interventions, they should be tailored to the most important determinants or mediators of FVI. The objective was to systematically review social cognitive theory-based studies of FVI and to identify its main psychosocial determinants.MethodsPublished papers were systematically sought using Current Contents (2007-2009) and Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Proquest and Thesis, as well as Cinhal (1980-2009). Additional studies were identified by a manual search in the bibliographies. Search terms included fruit, vegetable, behaviour, intention, as well as names of specific theories. Only studies predicting FVI or intention to eat fruits and vegetables in the general population and using a social cognitive theory were included. Independent extraction of information was carried out by two persons using predefined data fields, including study quality criteria.ResultsA total of 23 studies were identified and included, 15 studying only the determinants of FVI, seven studying the determinants of FVI and intention and one studying only the determinants of intention. All pooled analyses were based on random-effects models. The random-effect R2 observed for the prediction of FVI was 0.23 and it was 0.34 for the prediction of intention. Multicomponent theoretical frameworks and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) were most often used. A number of methodological moderators influenced the efficacy of prediction of FVI. The most consistent variables predicting behaviour were habit, motivation and goals, beliefs about capabilities, knowledge and taste; those explaining intention were beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences and perceived social influences.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the TPB and social cognitive theory (SCT) are the preferable social cognitive theories to predict behaviour and TPB to explain intention. Efficacy of prediction was nonetheless negatively affected by methodological factors such as the study design and the quality of psychosocial and behavioural measures.

Bridging the intention-behaviour 'gap' : The role of moral norm

This research examined whether intentions aligned with moral norms better predict behaviour compared with intentions aligned with attitudes. Six data sets predicting behaviours in the health domain (smoking, driving over speed limit, applying universal precautions, exercising) were analysed. Moderated regression analysis indicated that participants whose intentions were more aligned with their moral norm were more likely to perform behaviours compared with participants whose intentions were more aligned with their attitude. However, further analysis indicated that this moderation effect was only present when participants construed the behaviour in moral terms. The findings suggest that the theory of planned behaviour should more clearly acknowledge the importance of internalized norms and self-expectations in the development of ones motivation to adopt a given behaviour.

A comparison of the Fishbein and Ajzen and the Triandis attitudinal models for the prediction of exercise intention and behavior.

The main purpose of the study was to compare the efficiency of the Fishbein and Ajzen and the Triandis models to predict (1) the intention to participate regularly in some physical activities during free time within a 3-week period and (2) the exercise behavior within these 3 weeks among a group of 166 subjects, aged 22 to 65 years. Our results show that the Triandis model was as efficient as the Fishbein and Ajzen model in predicting the exercise behavior. However, the results obtained from the Triandis model demonstrate the importance of the habit of exercising in predicting the exercise behavior. Moreover, the Triandis model was superior to the Fishbein and Ajzen model in explaining behavioral intention. Of particular interest was the salience of the affective, social, and personal belief components of the Triandis model. In addition, from a practical perspective, this comparative study showed that (1) to exercise regularly is perceived as hard work, and (2) individuals believe that it is their own responsibility to exercise or not to exercise.

Asking questions changes behavior: mere measurement effects on frequency of blood donation.

OBJECTIVE This research examined the impact of completing a questionnaire about blood donation on subsequent donation behavior among a large sample of experienced blood donors. DESIGN Participants (N=4672) were randomly assigned to an experimental condition that received a postal questionnaire measuring cognitions about donation or a control condition that did not receive a questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of registrations at blood drives and number of successful blood donations were assessed using objective records both 6 months and 12 months later. RESULTS Findings indicated that, compared to control participants, the mean frequency of number of registrations at blood drives among participants in the experimental group was 8.6% greater at 6 months (p<.0.007), and was 6.4% greater at 12 months (p<.035). Significant effects were also observed for successful blood donations at 6 months (p<.001) and 12 months (p<.004). CONCLUSION These findings provide the first evidence that the mere measurement is relevant to promoting consequential health behaviors. Implications of the research for intervention evaluation are discussed.

Psychosocial Factors Influencing Intentions to Exercise of Young Students from Grades 7 to 9.

Abstract Our main purpose was to examine the influence of personal attributes and family environment upon the exercise intentions of students in grades 7 to 9. Fishbeins (1967) psychosocial model was applied. This predicts intentions from attitudes and subjective norms. The subjects were 698 students of both sexes attending grades 7 to 9 at two junior high schools in Metro Toronto. The results do not fully support Fishbeins concepts that external variables increase the prediction of exercise intentions relative to variables normally included in his model. Attitudes, current physical activity habits, and prior experience of exercise all contributed significantly to explaining the variance in exercise intentions. Nevertheless, over 50% of the total variance in exercise intentions remained unexplained. Since more variance of exercise intentions could be explained in students who had personal experience of physical activity early in childhood, our results support the value of early socialization towards phy...

Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectations as Determinants of Exercise Adherence

Based upon Banduras (1977) theory of self-efficacy, this prospective research concerned the prediction of adherence to exercise in a physical fitness program. Adherence was predicted from expectations of both outcome and self-efficacy measured at the first meeting of a 22-session exercise program (two sessions per week). 98 adults of both sexes participated. After completion of the program, participants were classified as “adherers” or “dropouts” from attendance records. Analysis showed that, self-efficacy was a more central determinant of adherence than expectation of outcome, although both variables were significant cognitive mediators of adherence to exercise. At the outset of the program, potential dropouts displayed less certainty than adherers about their capacity to attend the program regularly until its completion. They also expected mote benefits from participation in the program. This suggests that the likelihood of adhering to or dropping out of a fitness program may partly reside in the individual at the outset of involvement. Based on this finding, strategies to improve adherence to exercise are proposed.

Prediction of adherence to antiretroviral therapy: A one-year longitudinal study

The aim of this longitudinal study was to identify the determinants of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV patients over a period of 12 months. A total of 376 individuals living with HIV treated with ART participated in the study. Data were collected at baseline and at three, six, nine and 12 months. Variables assessed were adherence, attitude, outcome expectancies, self-efficacy, patient satisfaction with the relationship with their physician, provision of social support, optimism, CD4 cell count, viral load and side effects. Predictors of adherence in the Generalized Estimated Equation (GEE) were: high perception of self-efficacy (OR=1.68; 95%CI 1.27–2.22), positive attitude towards taking medication (OR=1.56; 95%CI 1.18–2.06), not living alone (OR=1.47; 95%CI 1.04–2.08) and being a male (OR=2.81; 95%CI 1.47–5.34). Subsequent analysis showed that a positive attitude towards taking medication was associated with a high level of patient satisfaction with their physician, high perceived social support, being optimistic, living with HIV for five years or less and experiencing no side effects. Also, a strong sense of self-efficacy was associated with positive perception of social support, high level of patient satisfaction with their physician and not living alone. These results suggest that interventions aimed at improving adherence to ART should focus on reinforcing self-efficacy and developing a positive attitude towards taking medication.

A meta-analytic review of the effect of implementation intentions on physical activity

Abstract Implementation intentions are a powerful strategy to promote health-related behaviours, but mixed results are observed regarding physical activity. The primary aim of this study was to systematically and quantitatively review the literature on the effectiveness of implementation intentions on physical activity. The second aim was to identify conditions under which effectiveness is optimal. A literature search was performed in several databases for published and non-published reports. The inverse variance method with random effect model was used for the meta-analysis of results. Effect sizes were reported as standard mean differences. Twenty-six independent studies were included in the systematic review. The overall effect size of implementation intentions was 0.31, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [0.11, 0.51] at post-intervention and 0.24, 95% CI [0.13, 0.35] at follow-up. The duration of follow-up had no significant effect on effect size (F(1, 18) = 0.21, p=0.66. This strategy was more effective among student and clinical samples, and when barrier management was part of implementation intentions. The present meta-analysis provides support for the use of implementation intentions to promote physical activity, even though the effect size is small to medium.

Self-reported exercise behavior of employees: a validity study.

The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of different self-reported questions for measuring exercise behavior of 551 employees. Values of maximum oxygen intake, body mass index, muscular endurance, and a fitness profile, based on the individual results obtained from each of the three physiologic parameters, were used as validity criteria for the self-reported measures. The influence of fitness profile on the measures of exercise habits indicated that the fit employees reported a more active pattern of exercise behavior, participated in more strenuous physical activity, and expended a greater amount of energy in a typical week than the unfit employees. There was no gain obtained in explaining fitness categorization with a more elaborate method compared with a simple question in measuring exercise behavior. The results of the present study show that the suggested simple method (one question) for assessing exercise behavior of employees is valid and can be useful for nurses and company physicians when evaluating the baseline behavior of a group of employees to assess the impact of exercise promotion programs at the work site.