The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Physical Activity Behaviors in 6th to 8th Grade, Rural, Limited-Resource Adolescents in Kansas

Abstract

To examine the relationship between self-efficacy (SE) and physical activity (PA) behaviors, explore the facilitators and barriers associated with PA behaviors, and compare differences in PA behaviors between adolescents from the control and the intervention rural ethnic communities in Kansas. Cross-sectional evaluation at baseline. This study assessed adolescents’ perceived level of SE for PA and the personal, social and environmental determinants that contributed to adolescents’ PA behavior. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) examined whether PA-related variables differed by communities; Pearson correlation assessed the relationship between SE and PA behaviors. There were no demographic differences (P ≥ .05) between the control and intervention communities (n1 = 115 and n2 = 142, respectively). Hispanic was identified as the major ethnic population (n1 = 70% and n2 = 61%). Adolescents’ PA behavior and perceived facilitators and barriers for PA were similar. Interpersonal influence was positively associated with PA participation (r = .34; P < .01). SE was associated with both active and sedentary PA behavior (r = .42 and r = -.17; P < .01). Majority of adolescents (52%) reported high level of SE for the confidence of exercising at least 60 minutes per day. However, adolescent girls tend to consider PA boring (P < .05) and their perceived level of SE for PA was lower than adolescent boys (P < .05). These findings suggest strategies to enhance the enjoyment and self-confidence to engage in PA behaviors may be valuable to promote participation and increase overall PA in adolescents.