Mélanie G.M. Perras

Understanding variations in exercise-identity strength through identity theory and self-determination theory

Using identity theory and self-determination theory (SDT), this study examined whether exercise-identity strength was associated with behavioural regulations for exercise (including integrated regulation). Further, this study assessed whether exercise identity and behavioural regulations interacted in their relationship with the self-regulation of exercise. This study was observational involving self-report. Data were collected at two time points, 1 month apart. Community exercisers (N = 100; mean age = 32.71 years) completed validated measures of identity strength, behavioural regulations, and self-regulation relative to exercise. As hypothesized, exercise identity was most significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with the more self-determined forms of behavioural regulation including identified (r = 0.72), integrated (r = 0.82), and intrinsic (r = 0.58) regulations. Further, identified regulation moderated the relationship between exercise identity and self-regulation (p < 0.001). Overall, this study suggests that variations in exercise-identity strength may be characterized by differential regulation of exercise. Further, exercise-identity strength and identified regulation may interact in their relation to exercise self-regulation. Finally, results support the complementary use of identity theory and SDT; ideas to advance this line of inquiry are discussed.

I'm an exerciser: Common conceptualisations of and variation in exercise identity meanings

Identities are meanings associated with a role. Identity meanings encapsulate what it involves for an individual to hold an identity. These meanings provide a standard which individuals seek to realise in order to confirm the identity [Burke, P. J., & Stets, J. E. (2009). Identity theory. New York, NY: Oxford University Press]. Identity theorists posit that there are identity meanings that are common among individuals [McCall, G. J., & Simmons, J. L. (1978). Identities and interactions. New York, NY: Free Press]; yet they also recognise variability in these meanings [Stryker, S. (1980). Symbolic interactionism: A social structural version. Menlo Park, CA: Benjamin Cummings]. Only a few researchers have addressed the content of identity meanings and none that we are aware of have examined the idea of variability in these meanings. Through a qualitative investigation of exercise identity meanings, we explore both the meanings that people use to define themselves as exercisers (purpose 1) and the extent to which there is variability in exercise identity meanings (purpose 2). We conducted 17 semi-structured interviews with exercisers and analysed the interviews through thematic analysis. Themes of purposefulness, priority, and consistency of exercise as well as behavioural and non-behavioural characteristics of exercise emerged. Among interviewees, there was much commonality with regard to the categories that comprised identity meanings. Variability within these categories was evident. The present findings lead us to suggest that individuals employ common standards to define themselves as exercisers, yet also instil their personal definitions of what it means to be an exerciser. These findings have implications for conceptualisations of exercise identity meanings and may inform exercise identity research and interventions.

Back to the Future: Associations Between Possible Selves, Identity, and Physical Activity Among New Retirees

Retirement is not always associated with increased physical activity. We examined the inter-relationships between two physical activity self-perceptions—identity and possible selves and physical activity in 548 new retirees. The aims were to understand why retirement coalesces with increased physical activity for some but not all retirees and inform future interventions. Data were collected via online questionnaire. Identity and possible selves were related to physical activity. Moreover, we found positive associations between possible selves focused on physical activity and physical activity identity. Our findings on self-perceptions represent an important first step toward designing relevant physical activity interventions for retirees.

Possible Selves and Physical Activity in Retirees The Mediating Role of Identity

Many retirees remain insufficiently physically active for health benefits. Self-perceptions can influence physical activity. Possible selves and identity are two self-perceptions that, when examined relative to physical activity, may help explain physical activity levels among retirees. Scholars claim that a focus on possible selves may impact identity, which, in the physical activity domain, is a known physical activity correlate. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between these variables, and more specifically, to determine whether exercise identity mediates the relationship between physical activity possible selves and physical activity. We examined the proposed mediation relationship in 531 new retirees. Data were collected across three time points (1 month apart). We conducted mediation analyses with bootstrapping. Identity mediated the relationship between possible selves (content and processes) and behavior—all related to physical activity. These findings represent an important first step toward designing relevant physical activity interventions for retirees.

Impact of a randomized possible selves experiment on new retirees’ physical activity and identity

BackgroundRetirement is not always associated with greater engagement in physical activity. Previous interventions informed by possible selves, a type of future-oriented self-representation, proved useful to increase physical activity in young adults. We thus wanted to explore if a similar intervention would yield favorable outcomes in new retirees. We also examined whether possible selves could help increase identity relative to the physical activity context. Identity circumscribes the meanings which help individuals define who they are in a given role (i.e., what it means to be a physically active person). The strength of identification as a physically active person increases when individuals endorse these meanings more strongly. Possible selves may be tied to identity as they allow individuals to imagine themselves as physically active, which has been argued to incite changes to one’s sense of self. Hence, the overall aim of this study was to determine whether a possible selves intervention would increase physical activity behaviour and physical activity identity in a group of newly-retired individuals.MethodsA total of 294 participants were randomized into one of three groups: (a) a repeated group with three possible selves image generation exposures, (b) a one-time group with one possible selves image generation exposure, or (c) a control group. Participants completed self-report measures at baseline and follow-up assessments were taken at weeks 4, 8, and 12 of the study. The measures for the outcomes of interest were the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire and the modified Exercise Identity Scale.ResultsRepeated measures mixed-effects models analyses with maximum likelihood estimation revealed no significant differences between groups on physical activity behaviour (p = 0.34) or physical activity identity (p = 0.97) at follow-up time points. However, a time effect was found for physical activity (p <.01) and physical activity identity (p <.01), which increased across time (baseline-to-12-week follow-up) in all three groups. Such a time effect (inconsequential to group assignment) suggests that the observed increases in physical activity and identity cannot be attributed to an exposure to a possible selves intervention.ConclusionsWhile the intervention failed to significantly increase physical activity identity and physical activity in newly retired individuals, we suggest future research directions for interventions targeting new retired individuals.