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Moderators of the Effectiveness of a Web‐Based Tailored Intervention Promoting Physical Activity in Adolescents: The HELENA Activ‐O‐Meter
Author(s) -
Cook Tina L.,
De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse,
Maes Lea,
Haerens Leen,
Grammatikaki Evangelia,
Widhalm Kurt,
Kwak Lydia,
Plada Maria,
Moreno Luis A.,
Zampelas Antonis,
Tountas Yannis,
Manios Yannis
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/josh.12140
Subject(s) - moderation , psychosocial , psychological intervention , intervention (counseling) , psychology , social support , gerontology , clinical psychology , medicine , social psychology , psychiatry
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine the moderation effects of sex, age, and psychosocial determinants (intention, social support, and modeling) of physical activity ( PA ) in the relationship between an Internet‐based computer‐tailored intervention program (Activ‐O‐Meter) and modes of PA and commuting. METHODS The Activ‐O‐Meter with intervention and control condition was delivered to 555 adolescents (boys 50.5%, mean age: 14.4 years) in 6 European cities. Data on different modes of PA and commuting, sex, age, and psychosocial determinants were collected at baseline and at 3‐months follow‐up, using questionnaires. The moderation effects of psychosocial determinants, sex, and age on the association between condition and modes of PA and commuting were tested with linear regression. RESULTS Moderation analysis showed that the following increased adolescents' responsiveness to the intervention: male sex, older age, higher baseline intention to increase PA , higher perceived social support or modeling level by siblings, and low perceived social support by friends. CONCLUSIONS These findings should be taken into consideration when planning PA interventions in adolescents. Future intervention studies should also include moderation analysis in order to get a deeper understanding of why interventions are not effective for certain individuals and how this unresponsiveness could be overcome.