Testing social cognitive mechanisms of exercise in college students.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

OBJECTIVES: To determine if different dimensions of outcome expectations are mediators between self-efficacy and exercise among college students. METHODS: Students (n = 290) reported exercise levels, self-efficacy, and expectations using a Web-based questionnaire. Factor analysis was performed to identify dimensions of expectations; regression analyses tested whether each factor mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and exercise. RESULTS: Physical, mental, social, and self-evaluative expectations emerged from the factor analysis, but none was associated with exercise independent of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy, however, was significantly associated with exercise independent of expectations (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: College students' activity expectations are multidimensional, but do not mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and exercise.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Taber, DR; Meischke, H; Maciejewski, ML

Published Date

  • 2010

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 34 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 156 - 165

PubMed ID

  • 19814595

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1945-7359

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.5993/ajhb.34.2.3

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • England