Activity Self-efficacy Research Articles

Development of a Daily Living Self-Efficacy Scale for Older Adults in Japan

Older adults tend to experience decreased enjoyment and fulfillment in life, social interactions, and independent living, with aging. These situations often result in lower levels of daily living self-efficacy in activities, which is one of the factors resulting in a decline in the quality of life (QOL) among older individuals. For this reason, interventions that help maintain daily living self-efficacy among older adults may also help maintain a good QOL. The objective of this study was to develop a daily living self-efficacy scale for the elderly that can be used to evaluate the effects of interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy. An expert meeting involving specialists in dementia treatment and care was held, to prepare a draft for a daily living self-efficacy scale. In the meeting, previous studies on self-efficacy among older adults, which were collected in advance, were reviewed, and the experiences of the specialists were discussed. Based on the reviews and discussions, a draft of a daily living self-efficacy scale comprising 35 items was prepared. This study on daily living self-efficacy was conducted from January 2021 to October 2021. The internal consistency and concept validity of the scale were evaluated based on the assessment data. The mean age ± standard deviation of the 109 participants was 84.2 ± 7.3 years. The following five factors were extracted based on factor analysis: Factor 1, "Having peace of mind"; Factor 2, "Maintaining healthy routines and social roles"; Factor 3, "Taking personal care of oneself"; Factor 4, "Rising to the challenge"; and Factor 5, "Valuing enjoyment and relationships with others". The Cronbach's alpha coefficient exceeded 0.7, thereby suggesting sufficiently high internal consistency. Covariance structure analysis confirmed sufficiently high concept validity. The scale developed in this study was confirmed to be sufficiently reliable and valid, and when used during dementia treatment and care to assess the levels of daily living self-efficacy among older adults, it is expected to contribute to the improvement of QOL among older adults.

Feasibility of social cognitive theory-based fall prevention intervention for people with intellectual disabilities living in group-home.

Adults with intellectual disability (ID) have a higher rate of fall events than the general population. Consequently, interventions for reducing fall events and improving health are highly required for individuals with ID. One essential step towards effectively delivering fall prevention interventions among adults with ID involves evaluating their feasibility. This study examined the feasibility of a home-based exercise intervention, supplemented with behavioural change strategies, among individuals with ID living in residential settings. This study provided an 8-week intervention, consisting of a workshop for support workers and sessions for participants with ID, focusing on behavioural reward/s, education regarding fall prevention/exercise and exercise training. One week prior to and 1week following such an intervention, such participants underwent measurements for (1) physical performance, (2) fall efficacy, (3) self-efficacy for activity and (4) social support. Participants having ID (n=33), support workers (n=11) and one administrator participated in this study. There were no adverse events during the intervention, and the mean adherence rate was 70.8±19.5%. Two participants with ID dropped out of the programme due to a lack of interest. The participants with ID significantly improved individual physical performance, self-efficacy for activity, fall efficacy and support from friends and support workers. Fall prevention interventions for adults with ID living in group-homes were highly promising for eventual large-scale implementation within such communities.

Association Between Exercise Self-Efficacy and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Dialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundExercise self-efficacy is a vital determinant of an individual’s active participation in regular exercise, and exercise is a critical component of improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in dialysis patients. This study aimed to describe the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and HRQOL in dialysis patients.Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai, China. Structured questionnaires distributed to the patients collected socio-demographic and disease-related information. Physical activity was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire, and the exercise self-efficacy scale (ESES) was used to measure exercise self-efficacy. HRQOL was evaluated by the kidney disease quality of life instrument-short form version 1.3 (KDQOL-SF™ v1.3). Data were analyzed using a univariate generalized linear model, Spearman correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression.ResultsA positive association was observed between exercise self-efficacy and HRQOL (r = 0.310, p < 0.001). Physical activity as a predictor variable explained 9.8% of the variance in overall HRQOL (p < 0.001). Exercise self-efficacy explained an additional 7.1% of the HRQOL variance. In total, 24.6% of the variation in the HRQOL was explained by the socio-demographic variables, disease-related factors, physical activity, and exercise self-efficacy.ConclusionOverall, only 16.9% of the change in HRQOL was explained by physical activity and exercise self-efficacy. Future research is still needed to further explore the factors influencing the HRQOL in dialysis patients. However, this finding suggests the need to consider the importance of HRQOL and physical activity as well as exercise self-efficacy when developing intervention programs.

Delivery fidelity of the REACT (REtirement in ACTion) physical activity and behaviour maintenance intervention for community dwelling older people with mobility limitations

BackgroundFidelity assessment of behaviour change interventions is vital to understanding trial outcomes. This study assesses the delivery fidelity of behaviour change techniques used in the Retirement in ACTion (REACT) randomised controlled trial. REACT is a community-based physical activity (PA) and behaviour maintenance intervention to prevent decline of physical functioning in older adults (≥ 65 years) at high risk of mobility-related disability in the UK.MethodsThe delivery fidelity of intervention behaviour change techniques and delivery processes were assessed using multi-observer coding of purposively sampled in-vivo audio recordings (n = 25) of health behaviour maintenance sessions over 12-months. Delivery fidelity was scored using a modified Dreyfus scale (scores 0–5) to assess competence and completeness of delivery for each technique and delivery process. “Competent delivery” was defined as a score of 3 points or more for each item. Examples of competent intervention delivery were identified to inform recommendations for future programme delivery and training.ResultsThe mean intervention fidelity score was 2.5 (SD 0.45) with delivery fidelity varying between techniques/processes and intervention groups. Person-centred delivery, Facilitating Enjoyment and Promoting Autonomy were delivered competently (scoring 3.0 or more). There was scope for improvement (score 2.0—2.9) in Monitoring Progress (Acknowledging and Reviewing), Self-Monitoring, Monitoring Progress (Eliciting Benefits of Physical Activity), Goal Setting and Action Planning, Modelling, Supporting Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity and Supporting Relatedness. Managing Setbacks and Problem Solving was delivered with low fidelity. Numerous examples of both good and sub-optimal practice were identified.ConclusionsThis study highlights successes and improvements needed to enhance delivery fidelity in future implementation of the behavioural maintenance programme of the REACT intervention. Future training of REACT session leaders and assessment of delivery fidelity needs to focus on the delivery of Goal setting and Action Planning, Modelling, Supporting Relatedness, Supporting Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity, and Managing Setbacks/ Problem Solving.

604-P: Self-Efficacy: Relationships with Diabetes Self-Care, Medication Adherence, and Diabetes Distress among Diverse Adults with Suboptimally Controlled Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)

Background: Self-efficacy has been inconsistently operationalized in diabetes, with measures often failing to focus on confidence in one’s capacity to perform self-care. Measures that focus on confidence have been shown to be closely associated with self-care behaviors, but received limited psychometric evaluation and have not been examined in relation to diabetes distress. Methods: We examined the reliability and factor structure of a previously published 8-item scale evaluating self-efficacy for diabetes self-care activities adapted by Sarkar and colleagues in 2006. We assessed cross-sectional relationships in baseline data with overall diabetes self-care, medication adherence, and diabetes distress among 812 predominantly Latino adults with T2D. They participated in a self-management support trial (Female = 56.9%; Latino = 86.5%) ; Mean (SD) Age and A1C = 59.2 (10.8) , 9.3 (1.8) , respectively. Results: The scale demonstrated good internal reliability in the overall sample (α = .80) and among English (n = 179, α = .77) and Spanish (n = 633, α = .80) speakers. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a single factor, explaining 42% of the variance in self-efficacy scores. After adjusting for covariates, higher self-efficacy was independently associated with better diabetes self-care (β = .56, p &amp;lt; .001) , better medication adherence (β = .30, p &amp;lt; .001) , and lower diabetes distress (β = -.42, p &amp;lt; .001) . Moderation analyses suggested consistency in these relationships across age, gender, SES, language, health literacy and numeracy. Conclusions: To our knowledge, the factor structure of this diabetes self-efficacy scale has not been previously evaluated. Findings suggest self-efficacy is a robust correlate of T2D self-care, medication adherence, and distress. The scale is appropriate for predominantly disadvantaged English and Spanish speakers with varying health literacy and numeracy levels. Disclosure R.Fang: None. C.J.Hoogendoorn: None. L.D.Pappalardo: None. H.Mendez-rodriguez: None. E.A.Walker: None. J.S.Gonzalez: Consultant; Virta Health Corp. Funding National Institutes of Health (R18 DK098742) National Institutes of Health (RDK104845) National Institutes of Health (RDK121298) National Institutes of Health (RDK121896) Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (P30 DK020541) New York Regional Center for Diabetes Translation Research (P30 DK111022)

Developing Preschool Teachers’ Computational Thinking Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Teaching Self-Efficacies: A Curriculum-Based Professional Development Program

Grounded in transformative teacher development through the curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL) approach to teaching-learning, this exploratory study surveyed the computational thinking (CT) views of 25 in-service teachers before and after their CT professional development programme workshops. Multivariate outcome multilevel cross-classification analysis showed that after their workshops, these teachers changed their CT knowledge, CT attitudes, CT beliefs, and CT teaching self-efficacy. Teachers reporting greater CT knowledge than others felt greater overall CT teaching self-efficacy, including for both plugged and unplugged CT activities. Moreover, teachers who reported a school culture of sharing and teamwork or sufficient school resources for CT activities were more likely than other teachers to have greater teaching self-efficacy for plugged CT activities or CT activities overall. These results highlight the importance of school culture, school technology resources, and teachers’ reported CT knowledge to their CT teaching self-efficacy.

Gamification Aspects of Fitness Apps: Implications of mHealth for Physical Activities

This study explored how the use of fitness apps (based on the Technology Acceptance Model) and gamification elements are related to users’ self-efficacy in physical activities (PA) by examining their attitudes and motivation to participate in PA (based on the theory of planned behavior). We analyzed 87,074 reviews of Fitbit users to explore their ideas about using fitness apps, then recruited survey participants who have had PA via fitness apps. Gaming mechanisms in fitness apps (i.e., self-monitoring, goal-setting, social facilitation, and rewards) encouraged users’ PA and improve users’ self-efficacy in PA, which in turn, enhanced users’ motivation for PA participation. The current study explored the implications of fitness apps’ use as a proactive technology for health. Further, this study proposed an integrated model of two theories through gamification aspects to examine how fitness apps arouse users’ perception of and motivation for PA.

The Patient Health Engagement Model in Cancer Management: Effect of Physical Activity, Distress Management, and Social Support Intervention to Improve the Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients.

Background Providing better care and encouraging behaviors promoting health are effective measures to manage breast cancer patients. The present research was conducted to carry out an intervention based on the PHE model to promote physical activity, distress management, social support, and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Methods This randomized control trial study was conducted on 123 women with breast cancer and their caregivers (group 1 = 61 and group 2 = 62). Subjects entered the study from the oncology ward of a specialized clinic in Shiraz, Iran. The education was done through clips, pamphlets, and lectures in 8 sessions with a duration of 15 to 25 minutes. A posttest was carried out in the both groups in 2 times (the end and 3 months) after intervention. The SPSS25 software was used to analyze the data. Results The mean and SD of age of group 1 were (45.77 ± 8.84) and control group 2 (45.58 ± 77.64). The fiding showed a significant difference between the mean scores of distress management, social support, physical activity, and cancer self-efficacy in group 1 vs. group 2 after intervention (P < 0.001). Also, the educational intervention improved quality of life (P = 0.003). Conclusion Intervention program based on the PHE model may facilitate the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes in breast cancer patient. Thus, it appears that the PHE model might promote patients' quality of life.

Evaluation of a Type 2 diabetes risk reduction online program for women with recent gestational diabetes: a randomised trial

BackgroundTo evaluate the preliminary efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of the 3-month Body Balance Beyond (BBB) online program among Australian women with overweight/obesity and recent gestational diabetes mellitus.MethodsWomen were randomised into either: 1) High Personalisation (HP) (access to ‘BBB’ website, video coaching sessions, text message support); 2) Medium Personalisation (MP) (website and text message support); or 3) Low Personalisation (LP) (website only). Generalised linear mixed models were used to evaluate preliminary efficacy, weight, diet quality, physical activity levels, self-efficacy and quality of life (QoL) at baseline and 3-months. Feasibility was assessed by recruitment and retention metrics and acceptability determined via online process evaluation survey at 3-months.ResultsEighty three women were randomised, with 76 completing the study. Self-efficacy scores showed significant improvements in confidence to resist eating in a variety of situations from baseline to 3-months in HP compared to MP and LP groups (P=.03). The difference in mean QoL scores favoured the HP compared to MP and LP groups (P=.03). Half of the women (HP n=17[81%], MP n=12[75%], LP n=9[56%]) lost weight at 3-months. No significant group-by-time effect were reported for other outcomes. Two-thirds of women in the HP group were satisfied with the program overall and 86% would recommend it to others, compared with 25% and 44% in the MP group, and 14% and 36% in the LP group, respectively.ConclusionsVideo coaching sessions were associated with improvements in QoL scores and self-efficacy, however further refinement of the BBB website and text messages support could improve program acceptability.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12619000162112, registered 5 February 2019.

Abstract PO-188: The relationship of intervention attendance, changes in self-efficacy, social support, health behaviors, and weight loss outcomes among overweight Appalachian adults

Abstract Objectives: To determine whether self-efficacy and social support mediate the association between intervention attendance and changes in health behaviors; and to quantify the dose-response relationship between changes in health behaviors and weight loss outcomes. Methods: Data were from a group-randomized trial that compared a 1-year faith-based weight loss intervention to an active control group among overweight Appalachian adults in churches. Participants from the weight loss group who completed the 12-month assessment were included. Intervention attendance was defined as the percentage of sessions attended. Baseline and 12-month data on weight, self-efficacy for physical activity (SEPA), social support for eating healthy (SSEH), social support for physical activity (SSPA), exercise, and dietary intake were used. Mixed effect models were used to control for the random-effect of geographic regions. Results: Among the 243 included participants, most were female (76.2%), white (97.5%), and married or living with a partner (81.2%). After the 12-month intervention, participants lost 1.12±0.33kg weight, increased 0.44±0.13 servings/day of fruit and vegetable, reduced 321.55±41.99kcal/day of caloric intake, improved SSEH from family and friends, and increased SSPA from the church family (all P&amp;lt;0.05). Each 10% increase in intervention attendance was associated with higher odds of increased SSEH from family (OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.06-1.30) and friends (OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.04-1.28), and higher odds of increased SSPA from the church family (OR=1.27, 95% CI=1.12-1.44). SSPA from the church family mediated 96.7% of the association between intervention attendance and total exercise MET·min/week. Although intervention attendance was associated with increased walking MET·min/week, SEPA, SSPA from family/friends/church did not mediate the association. Additionally, with every 100 kcal decrease in caloric intake, weight and BMI decreased at 12-months (0.15±0.05kg, P=0.002; 0.058±0.017kg/m2, P=0.001). After adjusting for exercise, each 100 kcal decrease in caloric intake was associated with a decrease in weight and at 12-months (0.17±0.05kg, P=0.001; 0.065±0.019kg/m2, P=0.001). Conclusion: Social support from the church family plays an important role in increasing physical activity. There was a dose-response relationship between daily caloric intake and weight loss among Appalachian residents. Strategies to improve social support and reduce caloric intake are needed to improve the efficacy of weight loss through lifestyle modifications for this population. Citation Format: Xiaochen Zhang, Ryan D Baltic, Abigail Shoben, Electra D. Paskett. The relationship of intervention attendance, changes in self-efficacy, social support, health behaviors, and weight loss outcomes among overweight Appalachian adults [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-188.

Reliability, validity and internal consistency of social support and self-efficacy scales for physical activity in adolescents with 10 to 14 years of age.

ABSTRACTObjective:To analyze the reliability, validity and internal consistency of the physical activity social support (SSS) and self-efficacy (SES) scales among adolescents aged 10–14 years.Methods:The reliability study included 171 adolescents (mean age=12.3±1.0 years, 59.6% female) and validity and consistency study with 1,107 (mean age=12.0±1.0 years, 52.7% female). The SSS had 15 items and the SES eight items. Reliability was determined by Spearman's correlation analysis (rho) and validity and internal consistency by factor analysis (exploratory — EFA and confirmatory — CFA) and the composite reliability (CR), respectively.Results:The reliability of SSS (father: rho=0.80; p<0.001 | mother: rho=0.76; p<0.001 | friends: rho=0.75; p<0.001) and SES (rho=0.72; p<0.001) were considered high. In the EFA, three factors were identified for the SSS (father, mother and friends — five items each) and one factor for SES (five items), confirmed in the CFA. Quality parameters of adjustment in the final models were satisfactory for SSS (chi-square=240.5 [p<0.001]; root mean square residual — RMR=0.05; root mean square error of approximation — RMSEA=0.04 [90%CI 0.04–0.05]; goodness of fit index — GFI=0.97; adjusted goodness of fit index — AGFI=0.96 and comparative fit index — CFI=0.97) and SES (chi-square=5.4 [p=0.07]; RMR=0.01; RMSEA=0.04 [90%CI 0.00–0.08]; GFI=0.99; AGFI=0.99 and CFI=0.97). Internal consistency was considered satisfactory for SSS (CR: father=0.79, mother=0.77, friends=0.78) and low for SES (CR=0.38).Conclusions:The scales showed satisfactory levels of reliability and of construct validity. However, only the SSS showed adequate levels of internal consistency.%

Malnutrition-Sarcopenia Syndrome and Self-Management Behaviors in Continuing-Care Retirement Community Residents.

Malnutrition–sarcopenia syndrome (MSS) might put older adults at higher risk for disability, frailty, and mortality. This study examined the prevalence and association of the self-management-process factors (i.e., self-efficacy and aging expectations) and behaviors (protein and caloric intake and sedentary and physical-activity behaviors) to MSS among older adults living in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Using a cross-sectional correlational design, data of 96 CCRC residents (82.4 ± 7.4 years) were analyzed. Muscle mass, strength, function, nutritional status, sedentary time, physical activity levels, protein and caloric intake, self-efficacy for physical activity, aging expectations, and physical and mental health-related quality of life were measured. Results show that 36 (37.5%) had sarcopenia, 21 (21.9%) had malnutrition risk, 13 (13.4%) had malnutrition, and 12 (12.5%) had MSS. We also found that high time spent in sedentary behaviors (OR = 1.041; 95% CI: 1.011–1.071) was associated with higher odds of having MSS and high expectations regarding aging (OR = 0.896; 95% CI: 0.806–0.997) were associated with less likelihood of having MSS. Findings suggest that CCRC residents should be screened for MSS. Self-management interventions that consider the self-management-process factors are needed to prevent MSS and mitigate its negative outcomes among CRCC residents.

Psychosocial Experiences That Support Positive Self-Concept in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate Adopted From China.

Existing psychosocial research offers little information on the unique challenges and strengths of children adopted from China with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). The present study aimed to understand biopsychosocial factors that support positive self-concept in this population. Qualitative, semistructured interviews were conducted with children and their parents. Interpretive phenomenological analysis of transcribed interviews was utilized for data analysis. Participants were recruited in an outpatient, pediatric multidisciplinary cleft clinic during a standard team visit. Participants were ages 8 to 12 years with a diagnosis of isolated cleft lip-palate who were internationally adopted from China before the age of 2 years and English-speaking. Participants also included English-speaking parents. Themes reflecting data from the child and parent subsamples include: (1) child's characteristics, (2) family strengths, (3) adoption identity, (4) cultural identity, (5) coping with a cleft, and (6) social factors. Additional 2 to 3 subthemes were identified for the parent and child subsamples within each broader theme. Findings from this sample suggested factors supporting positive self-concept included pride and self-efficacy in activities, family support, instilment of family values, strategies for coping with a cleft, family belonging, cultural exposure, and normalization of differences. Medical providers can support patients and families by providing education on surgeries, CL/P sequelae and outcomes, and pediatric medical stress. Mental health providers can screen for social and emotional challenges and provide psychoeducation on racial/ethnic socialization, identity development, and coping.

Parental Self-Efficacy-A Predictor of Children's Health Behaviors? Its Impact on Children's Physical Activity and Screen Media Use and Potential Interaction Effect Within a Health Promotion Program.

Insufficient physical activity (PA) and increased screen media use (SMU) can have detrimental effects on children's health. Parental self-efficacy (PSE) can act as an important predictor for a healthy upbringing. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of PSE on children's PA and SMU. Additionally, a moderating effect of PSE on the intervention effect of the health promotion program “Join the Healthy Boat” was examined. Using a prospective randomized controlled trial, 558 kindergarten children (3.6 years [SD = 0.6]) were examined. Data was collected using parental self-report. A significant influence of PSE on children's PA (B = 0.33, p = 0.025) and children's SMU (B = 0.42, p = 0.006) was found. The moderating effect of PSE on the intervention effect was neither significantly related to children's PA (p = 0.360) nor to children's SMU (p = 0.531). This confirms the importance of PSE on children's health development. Despite the lack of a moderating effect, interventions should also promote healthy activity behaviors and self-efficacy for parents in order to engage children in a healthy lifestyle.

Factors that interfere with total physical inactivity in overweight women

Objective: to investigate the variables that interfere with total physical inactivity in overweight women. Methods: cross-sectional research that collected sociodemographic data, self-perceived health, self-efficacy for physical activity, weight, and height in 142 women. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to evaluate physical activity. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. A 5% statistical significance level was adopted. Results: the prevalence of total physical inactivity was 34.5%. A significant association between total physical inactivity and age was found in the bivariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only women with regular and poor self-perceived health showed an increase of 124% and 150%, respectively, of total physical inactivity. Conclusion: physical inactivity was associated with regular and poor self-perception of health, being a health parameter for the development of health promotion policies and actions.

Self-efficacy development programme of future social services specialists: contents, procedures, testing online

The article presents the author’s training programme “The self-efficacy development of future social services specialists” online. The study defines the purpose, main tasks and scope of the training programme. The article described three training sessions (“Self-efficacy, its components and ways of development”; “Value attitude to self-efficacy and its development”; “Ability to show self-efficacy in professional activities”), which make up the structure of the training programme. We displayed the theoretical and practical-reflexive blocks of training sessions (first and second), and also we presented the maintenance and procedure of the organizational-activity game. “Ability to show self-efficacy in professional activities” as a basis for the development of self-efficacy and its manifestations in professional activity (third session), which together reveal the content of training sessions and contribute to the self-efficacy development of future social services specialists. The article determines the experimental and control group before and after the moulding experiment. There were not recorded, in the control group, statistically significant dynamics of levels, indicators, components. The G-criterion of signs revealed statistically significant differences in self-efficacy in the experimental group before and after the moulding experiment. A significant area of training is the development of confidence in future professionals of social services, their faith and their ability to professional self-realization in the social sphere (provision of social services to different categories of the population) by forming gnostic-reflexive, affective-value and behavioural-regulatory components of self-efficacy.

The Development and Validation of a Survey for Evaluating Primary Students’ Self-efficacy in STEM Activities

STEM integration has become a popular concept not only in the context of education practices but also as a way of learning. The integration of the STEM domains is evident in students’ learning experiences when engaging in STEM activities. However, there is a lack of instruments for evaluating students’ levels of self-efficacy in these activities. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop a survey for evaluating upper primary students’ self-efficacy in STEM activities and to explore whether a student’s gender, grade, and participation in STEM activities predict his or her self-efficacy in STEM activities. A total of 844 fourth- to sixth-grade primary students participated in this study. After pilot testing, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted, the survey was found to have a single-factor structure with high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .90). Linear regression analysis showed that school and out-of-school participation in STEM activities significantly predicted the students’ self-efficacy in STEM activities, while grade and gender did not. The survey developed in this study provides a reliable and valid way to measure students’ self-efficacy in STEM activities. These findings also highlight the importance of encouraging students’ participation in both formal and informal STEM activities.

The Effect of Social Norm-based Intervention with Observable Behaviour on Physical Activity among Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundThe rising prevalence of childhood obesity in developing and developed countries poses a major public health challenge to policy makers and an effective strategy to promote physical activity among adolescents is warranted. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of providing descriptive norms messages with personal identification in promoting physical activity among adolescents by measuring step counts via a randomized controlled trial (NCT03081013).MethodsA total of 311 participants aged 13–16 were randomized into two study arms (Onymous and Anonymous Arms). Each arm consisted of 13 groups of 12 participants. During the trial, participants received weekly short message service (SMS) about their past week’s physical activity performance. Participants in the Anonymous Arm received information about step counts of group members ranked from highest to lowest. Participants in the Onymous Arm received the same information with the group members’ full names. Participants’ quality of life, depression, physical activity social support, self-efficacy and enjoyment before and after the intervention were also evaluated. This study adheres to the CONSORT guidelines.ResultsThe number of steps was not higher when descriptive norm message was onymous compared to when it was anonymous. Scores in quality of life, depression, social support, self-efficacy, and enjoyment of physical activity were not significantly different between both arms (p > 0.05).ConclusionsOur findings indicated that the effect of providing descriptive norms messages containing personal identification on physical activity promotion was not evident in the main analysis. Future studies may consider using a more relevant reference group to use social norms as a tool to increase physical activity among adolescents.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov - NCT03081013. Registered 15 Mar 2017-Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03081013

Medical Therapeutic Yoga for multiple sclerosis: examining self-efficacy for physical activity, motivation for physical activity, and quality of life outcomes

Purpose Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that results in deficits in physical and cognitive function, and often fosters low levels of self-efficacy for physical activity, motivation for physical activity, and quality of life [1]. Drug therapies, physical therapy rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications such as increased physical activity are standard protocol for symptom management, yet persons with MS tend to be physically inactive [2,3]. Additionally, single-modality interventions do not inherently address the challenges faced concurrently by individuals with MS [4,5]. Methods This project examined the effects of a 5-week holistic biopsychosocial Medical Therapeutic Yoga program on physical activity behavior outcomes in individuals diagnosed with MS. A mixed-methods approach was used to examine self-efficacy for physical activity, motivation for physical activity, and quality of life outcomes in 15 participants. Results Quantitative measures demonstrated increased self-efficacy (t(14) = −2.23, p = 0.042), and emotional quality of life (t(14) = −2.66, p = 0.019). Responses to an open-ended written questionnaire and follow-up interviews indicated overall positive response to the program including increases in self-efficacy for physical activity, motivation for physical activity, and quality of life. These results may help future holistic programming for individuals with MS incorporate behavioral interventions with therapeutic rehabilitation to increase physical activity adherence. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease impacting physical and cognitive functioning that may be managed with a combination of drug therapies, rehabilitation, and physical activity. Individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis tend to be physically inactive and physical inactivity is a challenge for optimal disease management. Medical Therapeutic Yoga offers an interdisciplinary biopsychosocial framework to simultaneously address the behavioral challenges and physical impairments facing individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Health care providers should consider developing programs that use a biopsychosocial framework to aid in developing long-term adherence in health behaviors such as physical activity participation.

Perceived competence, threat severity and response efficacy: key drivers of intention for area wide management

Area wide management (AWM) is a coordinated strategy designed to achieve effective and longer-lasting suppression of mobile insect pests, involving groups of commercial growers working together and/or with local communities to achieve control across multiple host areas. In this study, we hypothesised that intentions to carry out AWM for the control of fruit fly would be predicted by subjective knowledge of insect pests, along with protection motivation factors (perceived pest threat severity, threat vulnerability, self-efficacy, AWM response efficacy and response costs). Fruit and vegetable growers (n = 131) and general public (n = 896) living in fruit-growing regions completed a large-scale telephone survey, measuring perceptions and intentions to implement area wide management. Regression analyses tested the relationship between intention, protection motivation factors and subjective knowledge, F(8, 1018) = 48.52, p < .001, yielding a statistically significant predictive model accounting for approximately 30% of behavioural variance in intention. Self-efficacy, threat severity, response efficacy and threat vulnerability were the most influential predictors of intention. Subjective knowledge was not a strong predictor, but results did clarify that explicit knowledge of fruit fly controls, rather than tacit knowledge of fruit fly itself, was a significant predictor of intention. Understanding motivational drivers for farmer and community engagement in pest management can not only help predict uptake of novel practices, but also allude to how individual farmers and communities are articulating a pest problem. The importance of explanatory factors such as threat appraisal and self-efficacy in framing management activities can help to better target behavioural incentives.