Abstract
BackgroundLevels of physical activity (PA) decrease when transitioning from adolescence into young adulthood. Evidence suggests that social support and intrapersonal factors (self-efficacy, outcome expectations, PA enjoyment) are associated with PA. The aim of the present study was to explore whether cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of social support from family and friends with leisure-time PA (LTPA) among young women living in disadvantaged areas were mediated by intrapersonal factors (PA enjoyment, outcome expectations, self-efficacy).MethodsSurvey data were collected from 18–30 year-old women living in disadvantaged suburbs of Victoria, Australia as part of the READI study in 2007–2008 (T0, N = 1197), with follow-up data collected in 2010–2011 (T1, N = 357) and 2012–2013 (T2, N = 271). A series of single-mediator models were tested using baseline (T0) and longitudinal data from all three time points with residual change scores for changes between measurements.ResultsCross-sectional analyses showed that social support was associated with LTPA both directly and indirectly, mediated by intrapersonal factors. Each intrapersonal factor explained between 5.9–37.5% of the associations. None of the intrapersonal factors were significant mediators in the longitudinal analyses.ConclusionsResults from the cross-sectional analyses suggest that the associations of social support from family and from friends with LTPA are mediated by intrapersonal factors (PA enjoyment, outcome expectations and self-efficacy). However, longitudinal analyses did not confirm these findings.
Highlights
Cross-sectional analyses showed that social support was associated with leisure-time PA (LTPA) both directly and indirectly, mediated by intrapersonal factors
Results from the cross-sectional analyses suggest that the associations of social support from family and from friends with LTPA are mediated by intrapersonal factors (PA enjoyment, outcome expectations and self-efficacy)
[5] Only 48.7% of young Australian women aged 18–24 years meet the recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines and the percentages tend to decline substantially in older age groups. [5, 6] Previous research has shown that PA levels decrease during the transition from adolescence into adulthood. [6, 7] Life events that occur in young adulthood, such as leaving school and home, getting married or having children, may be associated with disruption in PA during this life stage [7], especially for women. [8, 9] women living in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas already are less physically active than those from more advantaged neighbourhoods, and are even more at risk of adverse health outcomes resulting from age-related declines in PA. [10]
Summary
The positive health effects of physical activity (PA) are well known [1,2,3,4], only approximately 30% of the Australian adult population meet the recommended guidelines of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity PA per day. [5] Only 48.7% of young Australian women aged 18–24 years meet the recommended PA guidelines and the percentages tend to decline substantially in older age groups. [5, 6] Previous research has shown that PA levels decrease during the transition from adolescence into adulthood. [6, 7] Life events that occur in young adulthood, such as leaving school and home, getting married or having children, may be associated with disruption in PA during this life stage [7], especially for women. [8, 9] women living in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas already are less physically active than those from more advantaged neighbourhoods, and are even more at risk of adverse health outcomes resulting from age-related declines in PA. [10]In order to minimise reductions in PA in young adults living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, we need to understand the determinants of PA in this population group.Various social-cognitive and ecological-based models have been published which aim to predict and understand health behaviours.[11]. Often used theories and models are the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)[12,13,14] and socio-ecological models [15] These models postulate that the social environment influences health behaviours, such as PA, both directly and indirectly (i.e. through self-efficacy). That the social environment is an important determinant of PA has been confirmed in observational research.[16,17,18]self-efficacy, or similar constructs, is a key construct within various social cognitive theories and has consistently positively been associated with PA. The aim of the present study was to explore whether cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of social support from family and friends with leisure-time PA (LTPA) among young women living in disadvantaged areas were mediated by intrapersonal factors (PA enjoyment, outcome expectations, selfefficacy)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call