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Does Cognitive Attitude Matter When Affective Attitude Is Negative in Physical Activity Behavior Change?
Yubing Wang1, Pan Li2, Binn Zhang2
1University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
|August 29, 2022
Summary
Affective attitude significantly influences physical activity levels by moderating the impact of cognitive attitude and intention. Positive affective attitudes enhance the link between thoughts, intentions, and engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Health Psychology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Understanding factors influencing physical activity (PA) is crucial for public health.
- Attitude, intention, and behavior are key components in health behavior models.
- The interplay between cognitive and affective attitudes in predicting behavior requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how affective attitude moderates the relationship between cognitive attitude and leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
- To investigate the moderating role of affective attitude on the intention-MVPA link.
- To explore the moderated indirect effect of cognitive attitude on MVPA via intention.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 2100 undergraduate students.
- Validated questionnaires assessed affective attitude, cognitive attitude, intention, and MVPA.
- Hierarchical regression and Hayes' Process macro (models 1 & 58) were employed.
Main Results:
- Affective attitude significantly moderated the cognitive attitude-MVPA relationship; effects were only significant with positive affective attitudes.
- Affective attitude also moderated the intention-MVPA relationship.
- Higher affective attitude scores amplified the effects of intention and the indirect effects of cognitive attitude on MVPA through intention.
Conclusions:
- Affective attitude plays a critical moderating role in behavior change, particularly in the attitude-behavior relationship.
- Future theories of behavior change should incorporate the influence of affective attitude.
- Interventions promoting physical activity should prioritize addressing individuals' affective attitudes.
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