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Change in Goal Ratings as a Mediating Variable Between Self-efficacy and Physical Activity in Older Men

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Few studies have examined the associations between exercise self-efficacy, goals, and physical activity over time.

Purpose

This study examines whether self-selected goals mediate the changes in exercise self-efficacy on physical activity over 12 months.

Methods

Data are derived from 313 older men participating in the Veterans LIFE Study.

Results

Changes in exercise self-efficacy were significantly associated with changes in physical activity both directly (βs = 0.25 and 0.24, p < 0.05) and indirectly (βs = 0.24 and 0.30, p < 0.05) through changes in health-related and walking goal ratings (βs = 0.19 and 0.20, p < 0.05). Both types of goal setting continued to partially mediate the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and physical activity when covariates were added to the models.

Conclusion

This study extends the application of social cognitive and goal-setting theories to physical activity by showing that goals partially mediate the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and physical activity over time.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the Veterans Affairs Research and Development (no. E3386R), Morey PI, and the National Institutes of Health (AG028716), Morey Co-PI. We wish to also acknowledge the contributions of the other Project Life authors: Carl Pieper, Patricia Cowper, and Matthew Peterson; as well as the dedication of our research staff members: Megan Pearson, Jennifer Chapman, Teresa Howard, and Dee Carbuccia; and participating primary care and geriatric providers and Veterans LIFE Study participants.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, GRECC 182, 508 Fulton St., Durham, NC, 27705, USA

    Katherine S. Hall Ph.D., Eleanor S. McConnell RN, Ph.D., GCNS, BC, Carola C. Ekelund PT & Miriam C. Morey Ph.D.

  2. Neurodiagnostic Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Gail M. Crowley MSN, RN, ANP-C

  3. Health Services Research and Development Service, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Hayden B. Bosworth Ph.D. & Miriam C. Morey Ph.D.

  4. Aging and Older Americans Independence Centers, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Eleanor S. McConnell RN, Ph.D., GCNS, BC, Hayden B. Bosworth Ph.D., Richard Sloane M.S. & Miriam C. Morey Ph.D.

  5. Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Hayden B. Bosworth Ph.D. & Miriam C. Morey Ph.D.

  6. School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Eleanor S. McConnell RN, Ph.D., GCNS, BC

Authors
  1. Katherine S. Hall Ph.D.
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  2. Gail M. Crowley MSN, RN, ANP-C
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  3. Eleanor S. McConnell RN, Ph.D., GCNS, BC
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  4. Hayden B. Bosworth Ph.D.
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  5. Richard Sloane M.S.
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  6. Carola C. Ekelund PT
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  7. Miriam C. Morey Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katherine S. Hall Ph.D..

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Hall, K.S., Crowley, G.M., McConnell, E.S. et al. Change in Goal Ratings as a Mediating Variable Between Self-efficacy and Physical Activity in Older Men. ann. behav. med. 39, 267–273 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9177-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9177-5

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