The Health Action Process Approach as a motivational model for physical activity self-management for people with...

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Science
• Health Psychology
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Self-management of physical activity is crucial for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Existing motivational models may not fully capture the complexities of physical activity adoption and maintenance in MS.
• The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) offers a potential framework for understanding these behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) as a motivational model for physical activity self-management in people with MS.
• To identify key predictors of physical activity within the HAPA framework for this population.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative descriptive research design utilizing path analysis.
• 195 individuals with MS completed measures for physical activity, intention, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, perceived barriers, planning, and MS severity.
• Data were analyzed using path analysis to test the HAPA model.

Main Results:

• The respecified HAPA model demonstrated a good fit, explaining 38% of the variance in physical activity.
• Recovery self-efficacy, action/coping planning, and perceived barriers were direct predictors of physical activity.
• Intention mediated the effect of outcome expectancy on physical activity, with planning playing a mediating role.

Conclusions:

• The HAPA model provides empirical support for understanding physical activity in people with MS.
• The model's components, including self-efficacy, planning, and barrier perception, are significant for physical activity.
• Findings suggest the HAPA model can inform clinical rehabilitation and health promotion interventions for MS self-management.