Authors: Bean, Melanie K.¹; Miller, Sara²; Mazzeo, Suzanne E.³; Fries, Elizabeth A.⁴

Source: American Journal of Health Behavior, Volume 36, Number 2, March 2012 , pp. 265-274(10)

Publisher: PNG Publications

Abstract:

Objective: To examine social cognitive factors associated with physical activity (PA) among preadolescent girls. Method: Social cognitive theory was used to examine PA in girls (N=90; 71% African American) participating in Girls on the Run. Multiple regressions explored factors associated with PA at posttesting and 3-month follow-up. Results: Significant increases in PA, social influences, and self-efficacy were found, which were sustained at 3-month follow-up. Self-efficacy and social influences had the strongest relations to PA at posttest; self-efficacy remained the strongest predictor of PA at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: Social support and self-efficacy are important targets of PA interventions in preadolescent girls.

Keywords: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY; PREADOLESCENT GIRLS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.36.2.11

Affiliations: 1: Assistant Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, Children's Hospital of Richmond & Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. mkbean@vcu.edu 2: Chesterfield County Public Schools, Teacher Consultant, Elementary Language Arts Department, Instructional Division Center (IDC), Richmond, VA, USA 3: Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, Children's Hospital of Richmond & Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA 4: Associate Professor, Department of psychology and co-director of cancer control research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Publication date: 2012-03-01

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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