Premium
Determinants of physical activity among Taiwanese adolescents: An application of the health promotion model ‡
Author(s) -
Wu TsuYin,
Pender Nola
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
research in nursing and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1098-240X
pISSN - 0160-6891
DOI - 10.1002/nur.10021
Subject(s) - structural equation modeling , self efficacy , interpersonal communication , psychology , physical activity , social cognitive theory , interpersonal relationship , promotion (chess) , population , social influence , developmental psychology , social psychology , medicine , environmental health , physical therapy , statistics , mathematics , politics , political science , law
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among interpersonal influences (i.e., social support, norms, modeling), behavior‐specific cognitions (i.e., self‐efficacy, perceived benefits/barriers), competing demands, and physical activity among Taiwanese adolescents ( N = 832). The results from structural equation modeling indicated that perceived self‐efficacy was the most important predictor of physical activity. Interpersonal influences, when considered in total, had a weak and nonsignificant direct effect on physical activity but had indirect effects on physical activity thorough perceived benefits and perceived self‐efficacy. When sources of interpersonal influences were considered separately, parental influences did not have direct effects on physical activity. In contrast, peers did have a significant direct effect on physical activity and also indirect influences on physical activity through perceived self‐efficacy. All variables accounted for 30% of the variance in physical activity. Results of this study identify important influences useful to health professionals for promoting physical activity in this population. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Res Nurs Health 25:25–36, 2002.