The Relationships Among Social Support and Self-Efficacy on Physical Activity during Pregnancy

Abstract

There is some evidence to suggest that social support and self-efficacy aid in goal directed behaviors and may increase levels of physical activity (PA). PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between social support from family and friends, self-efficacy, and PA in a sample of pregnant women. METHODS: Participants (n=23) ≥18 years of age and 14-20 weeks gestation were enrolled in a nutrition and physical activity intervention. A survey assessing demographics (age, marital status, education, and race) was administered. Social support and self-efficacy for engaging in PA was also assessed. Height and weight were objectively measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). An accelerometer was worn to assess percent of day spent sedentary, in light PA, and in moderate to vigorous PA. Relationships were examined utilizing Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: On average, participants were 27.2±4.4 years of age and had a mean BMI of 26.7±5.7 kg/m2. A majority of the sample was married (82.6%), had some college education (78.3%), and was white (81.8%). The sample spent 57.5% of the day sedentary, 41.0% in light PA, and 1.5% in moderate to vigorous PA. For social support from friends, Pearson correlations showed a significant negative relationship with light PA (r=-0.43, p=0.04), a significant positive relationship with moderate to vigorous PA (r=0.45, p=0.03) but no relationship with sedentary time (r=0.36, p=0.09). Pearson correlations also indicated significant positive relationships between self-efficacy and sedentary time (r=0.43, p=0.03) and light PA (r=0.45, p=0.02), but no relationship with moderate to vigorous PA (r=0.07, p=0.71). No significant relationships were found between social support from family and any intensity of PA. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that social support from friends may be an important factor to consider when encouraging participation in moderate to vigorous PA during pregnancy. Future research is needed to fully understand the effects of social support and self-efficacy on PA during pregnancy,. Prospective research with larger sample sizes should consider including more diverse samples of pregnant women. Furthermore, relationships between social support from family and friends, self-efficacy, and PA should be assessed across trimesters.