Raymond Desharnais

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.

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 leisure-time exercise behavior: a path analysis (LISREL V) model.

In an attempt to understand the inherent process underlying the regular practice of physical activity, the relationships among subjective norm, attitude, habit, intention, and future behaviors have been investigated in a random sample of 136 University of Toronto employees. For this purpose, leisure-time exercise behavior was measured on two occasions after a statement of intentions had been obtained: (1) 3 weeks later (proximal behavior) and (2) 2 months later (distal behavior). The results of a path analysis (LISREL) suggest that (1) intention is directly influenced by habit and attitude, (2) proximal behavior is the result of habit only, and (3) distal behavior can be explained by a combination of intention and proximal behavior. Subjective norm was not a significant predictor of intention, proximal behavior, or distal behavior. This modeling approach offers a clearer understanding of the dynamics of exercise intention and behavior, strongly supporting the role of habit as a determinant of exercise behavior.

Differences in Perceived Barriers to Exercise Between High and Low Intenders: Observations Among Different Populations

Purpose. The goal of this study was to describe the salient perceived barriers to exercise in three different groups and to examine the perceived barriers characterizing individuals with a high or a low intention to exercise in the context of the theory of planned behavior. Design. Cross-sectional studies relating perceived barriers and intention to exercise were utilized. Subjects. Three independent samples were used: general population (n=349), individuals who have suffered from coronary heart disease (n=162), and pregnant women (n=139). Measures. Firstly, standard elicitation procedures were applied to identify the particular perceived barriers characterizing each population. Then, three self-administered questionnaires, one per sample, were used to measure perceived barriers and intention to exercise. Results. MANOVA analyses contrasting high and low intenders indicated a significant difference in perceived barriers to exercise in two of the three samples: general population (F5,343=6.37, p<.001) and individuals suffering from coronary heart disease (F9,152=2.28, p<.05). Conclusion. The results indicate not only that each population has specific salient perceived barriers to exercise, but also that within each group high and low intenders differ on a number of these perceived barriers. Therefore, it is recommended that the study of perceived barriers to exercise in any population should be based upon a standardized method of measuring these barriers such as the method adopted in the present study.

Erroneous perceptions and arousal among regular and occasional video poker players.

This study investigated the relationship between the level of arousal (Heart Rate) and the number of erroneous perceptions among video poker players. Twelve regular and twelve occasional gamblers participated in a gambling session conducted in a natural environment. It was hypothesised that 1) a significant positive correlation would be observed between arousal and the number of erroneous verbalizations, 2) regular players would show a higher level of arousal than occasional players, and 3) they would emit more erroneous verbalizations. Results showed that hypotheses one and three were confirmed. Theoretical and practical implications of these results for the psychology of gambling are discussed.

Identifying factors associated with regular physical activity in leisure time among Canadian adolescents.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors explaining regular physical activity among Canadian adolescents. Design. A cohort study conducted over a period of 2 years. Setting. A French-language high school located near Québec City. Subjects. A cohort of 740 students (352 girls; 388 boys) aged 13.3 ± 1.0 years at baseline. Measures. Psychosocial, life context, profile, and sociodemographic variables were assessed at baseline and 1 and 2 years after baseline. Exercising almost every day during leisure time at each measurement time was the dependent variable. Results. The Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis indicated that exercising almost every day was significantly associated with a high intention to exercise (odds ratio [OR]: 8.33, confidence interval [CI]95%: 5.26, 13.18), being satisfied with the activity practiced (OR: 2.07, CI95%: 1.27, 3.38), perceived descriptive norm (OR: 1.82, CI95%: 1.41, 2.35), being a boy (OR:1.83, CI95%: 1.37, 2.46), practicing “competitive” activities (OR: 1.80, CI95%: 1.37, 2.36), eating a healthy breakfast (OR: 1.68, CI95%: 1.09, 2.60), and normative beliefs (OR: 1.48, CI95%: 1.14, 1.90). Specific GEE analysis for gender indicated slight but significant differences. Conclusions. This study provides evidence for the need to design interventions that are gender specific and that focus on increasing intention to exercise regularly.

OPTIMISM AND HEALTH-RELEVANT COGNITIONS AFTER A MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

The relationship between dispositional optimism (LOT) and health-relevant cognitions after a myocardial infarction was examined with 158 patients (mean age = 52.7 ± 8.1 yr.). Patients above the median on optimism (i.e., optimists) scored significantly lower on perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and experienced fear than did pessimists. However, no difference on perceived self-efficacy was reported between optimists and pessimists. It is concluded that these results provide further evidence for the LOTs construct validity.

Combining behavioral and motivational dimensions to identify and characterize the stages in the process of adherence to exercise

Abstract The aim of the present study was to identify and characterize the stages in the process of adherence to exercise among a sample of 347 adults randomly recruited from the general population. Combining a behavioral (habit of exercising in the past 3 months) and a motivational (intention to exercise in the next 6 months) dimension allowed the formation of five stages, on a continuum varying from a sedentary stage (stage 1) to a very active stage (stage 5). The psychosocial factors studied were derived from a social cognitive theory [attitude, perceived control (self-efficacy), and subjective social norms]. Subjects were visited at home by trained interviewers for baseline data collection and behavior was self-reported 6 months later. ANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference in exercising behavior between the stages (p <.0001) and trend analysis showed this relationship to be linear (p <.001). MANOVA indicated that there was an overall significant difference in the psychosocial variabl...

The impact of physical fitness and health-age appraisal upon exercise intentions and behavior

This study investigated the relative and combined effectiveness of the Canadian Home Fitness Test (CHFT) and Health Hazard Appraisal (HHA) to modify (1) intention to exercise with and without knowledge of the results and (2) intention and behavior to exercise over 3 months. The 200 subjects were randomly attributed to groups, either (1) physical-fitness evaluation (PF), (2) appraised health age (HA), (3) physical-fitness evaluation and health-hazard appraisal (PF-HA), or (4) control (C), The immediate impact on the intention to exercise of passing one and/or the other tests, without knowledge of the results, was not significant. With knowledge of the results, the intentions of the PF and PF-HA groups differed from those of the C group. This effect disappeared after 3 months. There was no significant impact on exercise behavior over 3 months. The results indicated a short-term motivational effect from being informed of CHFT results. Maintaining this effect might require intervention on a long-term basis.

Psychometric Properties of a Perceived Behavioral Control Multiplicative Scale Developed According to Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior

The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of a scale to assess perceived behavioral control developed according to a multiplicative procedure. Based upon Ajzens theory of planned behavior, belief-based and global measures of perceived behavioral control and intention to continue with the Certificate program in Law until graduation were assessed among a group of 217 students. Analyses indicated that the psychometric properties of the perceived behavioral control multiplicative scale were appropriate.