Social Cognitive Theory Determinants of Physical Activity in Adults with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Individuals with visual impairments tend to spend less time participating in physical activity and more time engaging in sedentary behaviors than their typically developing peers. The purpose of this study was to examine social cognitive theory-based predictors of physical activity and sedentary behavior for adults with visual impairments. Ninety-two participants, recruited from two visual impairment-related organizations in the United States (Women = 50; Men = 42; ages 18–77 [Mage = 46.88, SD = 13.91]), completed three questionnaires. Two-way ANOVAs examined differences across sex and vision; hierarchical multiple regression analyses evaluated factors predicting total metabolic equivalent minutes and sitting time. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that social support significantly predicted total metabolic equivalent minutes while self-regulation predicted sitting time. Age was not predictive of either dependent variable; vision predicted total metabolic equivalent minutes but not sitting time; sex was a significant factor for sitting not total metabolic equivalent minutes. Visual impairment predicted metabolic equivalent minutes but not sitting time. This study provides the first empirical evidence explaining social cognitive theory constructs as predictors of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adults with visual impairments. These results provide a basis for researchers and practitioners to utilize when conceptualizing, implementing, and evaluating future physical activity interventions focusing on this population.