Exercise persistence in the face of varying exercise challenges: a test of self-efficacy theory in working mothers

Mary E Jung1, Lawrence R Brawley

  • 1University of British Columbia, Okanagan. 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada. mary.jung@ubc.ca

Self-regulatory efficacy (SRE) should influence persistence towards goals. Mothers attempting to exercise while managing work and young children (N = 49, M(age) = 35.69, M(children) = 1.88) were stratified into high or low concurrent SRE groups, then randomized to read a hypothetical scenario detailing numerous or minimal exercise barrier conditions. Consistent with self-efficacy theory, when exercise barriers were numerous, mothers with higher concurrent SRE demonstrated greater persistence towards exercise goals, and perceived concurrent management of exercise with their other valued goals as more positively challenging, than mothers with lower concurrent SRE.

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