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Modelling Longitudinal Directional Associations Between Self-regulation, Physical Activity, and Habit: Results from a Cross-lagged Panel Model

International Journal of Behavioral Medicine volume 28, pages 466–478 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The directionality of associations between self-regulatory variables, behavior, and automaticity is seldomly tested. In this study, we aimed to examine a volitional, self-regulatory sequence of variables proposed in the Health Action Process Approach framework (intention → action plans → action control → behavior) and its relationship with the construct of automaticity of the physical activity habit.

Methods

Longitudinal data was collected from high school students (N = 203, Mage = 15.39 (SD = 1.43), 52% women) at three measurement points. First, a confirmatory factor analysis measurement model was used to examine the study variables across measurement points. Next, a cross-lagged panel model was used to test directionality between variables.

Results

After adequate fit of the measurement model was confirmed, a mechanism integrating self-regulation with behavior and automaticity was examined. The hypothesized directionality between variables was verified overall by cross-lagged analysis. However, for the intention-action plan association, the inverse relationship was found: plans were associated with subsequent intentions, but intentions did not predict plans. Moreover, automaticity was not associated with subsequent physical activity behavior.

Conclusions

In general, our findings supported the hypothesized longitudinal direction of the associations, confirming that self-regulation may lead to behavior performance and automaticity. Unexpected findings and implications for intervention and future research are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Nutrition, Costa Rican Institute for Research and Education on Nutrition and Health (INCIENSA), Curridabat, Cartago, 4-2250, Costa Rica

    Rafael Monge-Rojas

  2. CIS-IUL, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisbon, Portugal

    Cristina Albuquerque Godinho

  3. Psychological Research Institute, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, 11501-2060, Costa Rica

    Benjamín Reyes Fernández

Authors
  1. Rafael Monge-Rojas
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  2. Cristina Albuquerque Godinho
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  3. Benjamín Reyes Fernández
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Correspondence to Benjamín Reyes Fernández.

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As per Costa Rican legislation, parental informed consent and adolescent informed assent were obtained for all participants included in the study. All procedures performed in studies involving human subjects were in accordance with the standards of the Ethical Review Committee and the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its amendments.

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Monge-Rojas, R., Godinho, C.A. & Reyes Fernández, B. Modelling Longitudinal Directional Associations Between Self-regulation, Physical Activity, and Habit: Results from a Cross-lagged Panel Model. Int.J. Behav. Med. 28, 466–478 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-020-09936-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-020-09936-y

Keywords

  • Physical activity
  • Automaticity
  • Habit
  • Self-regulation
  • HAPA model