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How Valid Is Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory to Explain Physical Activity Behavior?
Viktoria Sophie Egele1, Eric Klopp1, Robin Stark1
1Department of Education, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
|February 25, 2025
Summary
Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) effectively explains physical activity in the general population. Key components like self-efficacy are crucial for predicting behavior, supporting SCT
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is widely used in interventions but rarely tested in its entirety.
- Previous studies often focused on specific SCT elements or pathological samples, not the general population.
- Physical inactivity is a significant public health issue in the general population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address research gaps by testing the complete Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) in the general population.
- To evaluate the tenability of SCT's theoretical assumptions in explaining physical activity behavior.
- To identify the relative importance of different SCT constructs in predicting physical activity.
Main Methods:
- A structural equation model with latent variables was employed.
- 194 German adults (109 male, 85 female; mean age 26.03 years) completed validated questionnaires.
- Data collected at two time points (t1 for SCT components, t2 for physical activity).
Main Results:
- The structural model demonstrated a very good fit, supporting SCT's theoretical assumptions.
- The theoretically stated relations between SCT constructs were corroborated.
- Certain paths within the model, particularly self-efficacy, appeared more influential than others.
Conclusions:
- Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is justified for explaining and predicting physical activity behavior in the general population.
- The findings support the comprehensive application of SCT in health behavior research and interventions.
- Self-efficacy emerged as a particularly critical construct within SCT for physical activity.
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