Motivated and Responsive: Peer-Leader Attributes Supporting Delivery of a National Walking Program

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Peer-led physical activity programs are vital for healthy aging.
• Factors sustaining peer leader delivery require further understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how peer leader attributes and motivation impact leadership outcomes for program sustainability.
• To examine the relationship between autonomous/controlled motivation, leader attributes, and leadership outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week prospective survey of 131 trained walking group leaders (mean age 62.7).
• Utilized Self-Determination Theory framework.
• Measured motivation, peer-leader attributes (supportive disposition, responsive leadership, relational influence), and leadership outcomes (role satisfaction, perceived efficacy, continuation intentions).

Main Results:

• Responsive leadership positively predicted role satisfaction and perceived efficacy.
• Relational influence predicted satisfaction; autonomous motivation enhanced satisfaction and efficacy.
• These factors explained 23-26% of variance; continuation intentions were minimally predicted by individual factors.

Conclusions:

• Selecting and training peer leaders should focus on responsiveness and participant-centered behaviors.
• Supporting leaders' autonomy is crucial for satisfaction and efficacy.
• Long-term program sustainability may necessitate broader organizational support beyond individual leader factors.