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Home / American Journal of Health Behavior, Volume 35, Number 6

Physical Activity and Self-regulation Strategy Use in Adolescents

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Authors: Matthews, James 1 ; Moran, Aidan 2 ; 

Source: American Journal of Health Behavior, Volume 35, Number 6, November 2011, pp. 807-814(8)

Publisher: PNG Publications and Scientific Research Limited

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.35.6.16

Objective: To examine the degree to which the use of selected theoretically derived self-regulation strategies (eg, goal setting) could predict adolescents' self-reported leisure-time physical activity behavior. Method: Two hundred thirty-three (M age = 15.88) high school students completed measures assessing their self-regulation strategy use and their level of physical activity. Results: Correlational analysis showed self-regulation strategy use was significantly related to adolescent physical activity. Regression analysis also revealed that goal setting and a causal attribution dimension accounted for 10.7% of the variance reported in adolescents' physical activity. Conclusion: There is a significant positive relationship between adolescent leisure-time physical activity and certain theoretically derived self-regulation strategies.

Keywords: CAUSAL ATTRIBUTION; GOAL SETTING; MENTAL IMAGERY; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; SELF-REGULATION; TEENAGERS

Document Type: Research Article

Affiliations: 1: School of Psychology, University College, Dublin, Ireland 2: Professor of Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, University College, Dublin, Ireland

Publication date: 01 November 2011

More about this publication?

  • The American Journal of Health Behavior seeks to improve the quality of life through multidisciplinary health efforts in fostering a better understanding of the multidimensional nature of both individuals and social systems as they relate to health behaviors.

    The Journal aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of personal attributes, personality characteristics, behavior patterns, social structure, and processes on health maintenance, health restoration, and health improvement; to disseminate knowledge of holistic, multidisciplinary approaches to designing and implementing effective health programs; and to showcase health behavior analysis skills that have been proven to affect health improvement and recovery.

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