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Updated: May 1, 2026
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Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
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Sources of self-efficacy for physical activity
Lisa M Warner1, Benjamin Schüz2, Julia K Wolff3
1Department of Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin.
Summary
Understanding the origins of self-efficacy for physical activity is key. Mastery experience, self-persuasion, and reduced negative feelings are the primary drivers of physical activity self-efficacy in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Health Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Self-efficacy beliefs significantly influence physical activity levels.
- The origins of self-efficacy for physical activity remain underexplored.
- Identifying these origins is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate scales measuring the sources of self-efficacy for physical activity.
- To comparatively assess the predictive power of these sources on physical activity over time.
- To identify the principal origins of self-efficacy beliefs for physical activity.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Scale construction using 1,406 German adults (aged 16-90).
- Study 2: Predictive validity testing of scales in 310 older German adults.
- Development of reliable and valid instruments for six sources of self-efficacy.
Main Results:
- Validated instruments were created to measure six distinct sources of self-efficacy for physical activity.
- These instruments allow for comparative testing of the predictive value of self-efficacy sources.
- The developed scales are short, reliable, and valid.
Conclusions:
- Mastery experience emerged as a significant predictor of self-efficacy for physical activity.
- Self-persuasion and the reduction of negative affective states also strongly predict self-efficacy.
- These findings are particularly relevant for community-dwelling older adults.
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