Positive Affect and Physical Activity Associations in Women and Their Spouses

Only 21% of U.S. women meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, placing them at increased risk for long-term conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Physical activity is influenced by individual and interpersonal factors (e.g., romantic partners). Individual factors, such as positive affect, are associated with lower mortality risk and improved health behaviors.

This secondary data analysis, guided by Fredrickson's Broaden and Build Theory, aims to examine the relationship between positive affect of married women (n = 115 couples) and their physical activity behavior on the same- and next- day, while also considering their spouses' positive affect.

Two population average models assessed the relationship of calm and happy (positive affect) to physical activity. Physical activity was assessed as the sum of the minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over the prior 24 hours. Covariates of age, baseline activity frequency, education, marital quality, and race/ethnicity were also included.

Women's happiness (β = 0.15, p < .005), not calmness (β = -0.03, p = .60), was found to have a significant association with same-day MVPA. Spouses' happiness (β = 0.11, p = .045) was significantly associated with women's next-day MVPA while their calmness (β = -0.04, p = .44) was not.

The results of this study support that incorporating positive affect could be valuable for improving physical activity behaviors. Spouse reports provide additional context to consider in physical activity promotion research.