Self-management strategies mediate self-efficacy and physical activity

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Physical Activity Research
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Self-efficacy theory suggests confidence influences physical activity by affecting perceived barriers, benefits, and enjoyment.
• The role of self-management strategies in mediating this relationship has not been empirically tested.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the factorial validity of a physical activity self-management strategies measure.
• To examine if self-management strategies mediate the link between self-efficacy and physical activity in adolescent girls.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the self-management strategies measure.
• Construct validity was tested by examining mediation in cross-sectional samples of 6th and 8th-grade girls.
• Analyses controlled for perceived barriers, outcome expectancy value, and enjoyment.

Main Results:

• Self-efficacy directly influenced social-cognitive variables related to physical activity.
• A key finding was that self-management strategies significantly mediated the association between self-efficacy and physical activity in both age groups.

Conclusions:

• The developed measure for physical activity self-management strategies provides valid scores for adolescent girls.
• Further experimental research is warranted to confirm the mediating role of these strategies in the self-efficacy-physical activity relationship.