Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
05:59
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
7.3K
Perceived somatic and affective barriers for self-efficacy and physical activity
Lisa M Warner1, Julia K Wolff2, Svenja M Spuling2
1Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
Journal of Health Psychology
|August 17, 2017
Summary
Perceived physical and emotional barriers, not general health indicators, predict older adults' physical activity. Self-efficacy mediates this relationship, highlighting the importance of subjective health perceptions for maintaining activity levels in seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Health Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Bandura's social-cognitive theory posits that perceived barriers influence self-efficacy.
- Self-efficacy is a key determinant of health behaviors, including physical activity.
- Understanding factors influencing physical activity is crucial for older adults' well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive role of perceived somatic and affective barriers versus general health barriers on self-efficacy and physical activity in older adults.
- To examine the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between perceived barriers and physical activity.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design.
- Participants: 153 community-dwelling German older adults randomly selected from a larger cohort.
- Measures: Perceived somatic and affective barriers, general health barriers, self-efficacy, and accelerometer-assessed physical activity.
Main Results:
- Perceived somatic and affective barriers significantly predicted physical activity, mediated by self-efficacy.
- General health barriers did not predict physical activity.
- Subjective perceptions of health barriers were more influential than objective indicators for older adults' physical activity.
Conclusions:
- Perceived, rather than general, health barriers are critical for understanding and promoting physical activity in older adults.
- Interventions targeting self-efficacy and addressing perceived somatic and affective barriers may enhance physical activity levels in this population.
- Future research should focus on the subjective experience of health barriers in geriatric populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
202
Self-esteem is intricately tied to our perception of competence and our ability to exert control over our lives. One of the primary sources of this perception is performance feedback — the ongoing evaluation of our actions in terms of success and failure. According to Franks and Marolla (1976), people derive self-worth from experiencing themselves as causal agents, capable of achieving goals and overcoming obstacles. This process nurtures a critical component of self-esteem:...
202
01:29Self-Efficacy
250
Self-efficacy is the belief in one's capacity to organize and execute actions necessary to manage prospective situations. This belief significantly influences how individuals approach goals, tasks, and challenges across different domains of life.Psychological and Educational ImpactsIndividuals with strong self-efficacy are more resilient in the face of difficulties. They are more likely to adopt effective problem-solving strategies, persist through obstacles, and regulate emotions such as...
250
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
19.0K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
19.0K
01:25Physiological Barriers
5.4K
Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
5.4K
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
44.8K
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about...
44.8K
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
209
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
209