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Social Cognitive Determinants of Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity in College Freshmen
Author(s) -
Doerksen Shawna E.,
Umstattd M. Renée,
McAuley Edward
Publication year - 2009
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.1559-1816.2009.00478.x
Subject(s) - psychology , psychosocial , physical activity , cognition , social cognitive theory , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , physical therapy , medicine , psychiatry
This paper examined the relationship among social cognitive factors and physical activity in college freshmen. Students from a midwestern university ( N = 69; 56.5% female) participated in this prospective study. Psychosocial data were collected at the beginning of a semester, and physical activity measurement by accelerometry was completed at semester's end. Multiple regression analyses indicated that self‐efficacy and physical activity goals were significant predictors of vigorous activity ( r 2 = .16). However, these constructs were not significant for moderate activity ( r 2 = .16). Social cognitive constructs appear to be related to vigorous, but not moderate activity in college freshmen. Future studies should consider assessing social cognitive and physical activity variables at multiple time points across extended durations.