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The Influence of Affective and Instrumental Beliefs on Exercise Intentions and Behavior: A Longitudinal Analysis
Author(s) -
Lowe Rob,
Eves Frank,
Carroll Douglas
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2002.tb01434.x
Subject(s) - psychology , theory of planned behavior , promotion (chess) , social psychology , component (thermodynamics) , clinical psychology , control (management) , politics , political science , law , economics , thermodynamics , physics , management
Programs encouraging exercise might reduce coronary illness. Ajzen's theory of planned behavior is a useful model for understanding exercise motivation. The current study investigated the contribution of the instrumental and affective components of attitude. As part of a community‐based study of exercise behavior, 424 men and 572 women completed questionnaires, with 365 participants providing 6‐month follow‐up data. Regressions highlighted the affective component as a much more powerful predictor of intention compared to the instrumental component. After controlling for prior exercise, intention was not predictive of later exercise, although the affective component was. The implications for exercise promotion are discussed.