The Relationship between Exercise Self-Efficacy, Intention, and Structural Barriers for Physical Activity after a...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Structural barriers are known to impede physical activity (PA) in cancer patients.
• The specific psychological mechanisms linking these barriers to reduced PA remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mediating roles of PA self-efficacy and PA intention in the relationship between structural barriers and post-diagnosis PA.
• To examine these mediations in cancer patients based on their pre-diagnosis PA levels.

Main Methods:

• A serial mediation model was employed using data from 856 cancer patients.
• Questionnaires assessed sociodemographic and medical data, PA levels (pre- and post-diagnosis), PA self-efficacy, PA intention, and perceived structural barriers.

Main Results:

• Structural barriers were indirectly, not directly, associated with post-diagnosis PA.
• Higher perceived structural barriers were linked to lower PA self-efficacy and lower PA intention, subsequently reducing PA.
• These mediation effects were significant only in cancer patients who were active before diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• PA self-efficacy and intention are key mediators between structural barriers and PA in cancer patients.
• Interventions should address structural barriers and enhance PA self-efficacy, particularly for previously active cancer survivors.