The Influence of Risk Perceptions and Efficacy Beliefs on Leisure-Time Physical Activity during Pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy risk perceptions and physical activity efficacy beliefs may facilitate or impede pregnancy leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). According to the Risk Perception Attitude Framework (RPA), these psychosocial factors may have an interactive effect on behavior. PURPOSE: To determine the separate and joint influence of pregnancy risk perceptions and LTPA efficacy beliefs on LTPA behavior among pregnant women. METHODS: Pregnant women (n=302) completed a survey which contained questions on LTPA beliefs and behavior, as well as pregnancy risk perceptions with respect to the health of the unborn baby. Median splits were used to categorize women as high/low for their pregnancy risk perceptions and LTPA efficacy beliefs for both moderate and vigorous LTPA. These variables were then combined to create four RPA attitudinal groups: Responsive (High Risk+High Efficacy), Proactive (Low+High), Avoidant (High+Low), and Indifferent (Low+Low). Moderate LTPA was dichotomized as meeting guidelines [moderate LTPA ≥150 min/week] or not. Vigorous LTPA was dichotomized as performing any [vigorous LTPA >0 min/week] or not. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to examine relations between RPA attitudinal groups and LTPA participation. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine the joint influence of pregnancy risk perceptions and LTPA efficacy beliefs on pregnancy LTPA. RESULTS: A total of 82 women (27.2%) met the moderate LTPA guidelines and 90 women (30.1%) performed any vigorous LTPA. Responsive and proactive pregnant women (those with high efficacy) were most likely to meet the moderate LTPA guidelines and participate in any vigorous LTPA. Hierarchical logistic regression did not reveal an interactive effect of pregnancy risk perceptions and LTPA efficacy beliefs for meeting moderate LTPA guidelines (β=0.94, CI=0.66-1.36) or any vigorous LTPA participation (β=1.41, CI=0.86-2.29). CONCLUSIONS: LTPA efficacy beliefs are important in facilitating greater levels of pregnancy LTPA. Significant interactive effects between pregnancy risk perceptions (with respect to the health of the baby) and LTPA efficacy beliefs on LTPA participation were not found. Health promotion efforts should focus on increasing LTPA self-efficacy to increase rates of participation among pregnant women.