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Midlife Women’s Physical Activity Goals: Sociocultural Influences and Effects on Behavioral Regulation

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Abstract

A better understanding of midlife women’s exercise goals could offer insight into the psychosocial facilitators and barriers to their participation. A random sample of US working women (40–60 years) was taken, and resulted in 262 participants. Cluster analysis identified participants’ most important physical activity goal. A five goal cluster solution was identified: (1) sense of well-being; (2) weight loss; (3) health benefits; (4) stress reduction; and (5) weight maintenance/toning. The goal cluster solution was validated and suggested relevant sociocultural influences and potential effects on behavioral regulation (p < .05). Data showed that weight- and health-related goals have sociocultural influences and are associated with more extrinsic and less intrinsic behavioral regulation compared to stress reduction and sense of well-being goals.

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Acknowledgements

This research was partially funded by an American Fellowship from the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation and a grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. The authors wish to thank Lindsay Anonich, Leslie DePietro, Barbara Fredrickson, Deanna Maida, Sara Nazem, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Diana Perpich, Lori Rudy, and Brady West. We thank the study participants and the anonymous reviewers for their very helpful comments that improved our paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Research on Women and Gender, The University of Michigan, 204 South State Street 1123 Lane Hall, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1290, USA

    Michelle L. Segar

  2. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, RM 5118, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106-1248, USA

    Jacquelynne S. Eccles & Stephen C. Peck

  3. Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, 1018 Fuller Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0708, USA

    Caroline R. Richardson

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  1. Michelle L. Segar
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  2. Jacquelynne S. Eccles
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Correspondence to Michelle L. Segar.

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Segar, M.L., Eccles, J.S., Peck, S.C. et al. Midlife Women’s Physical Activity Goals: Sociocultural Influences and Effects on Behavioral Regulation. Sex Roles 57, 837–849 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9322-1

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