Linda Parschau1, Lena Fleig2, Lisa Marie Warner3, Sarah Pomp2, Milena Barz2, Nina Knoll2, Ralf Schwarzer4, Sonia Lippke5. 1. Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany linda.parschau@fu-berlin.de. 2. Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 3. Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany German Centre of Gerontology, Berlin, Germany. 4. Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 5. Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Motivational processes can be set in motion when positive consequences of physical exercise are experienced. However, relationships between positive exercise experience and determinants of the motivational and the volitional phases of exercise change have attracted only sparse attention in research. METHOD: This research examines direct and indirect associations between positive experience and motivational as well as volitional self-efficacy, intention, action planning, and exercise in two distinct longitudinal samples. The first one originates from an online observational study in the general population with three measurement points in time (N = 350) and the second one from a clinical intervention study in a rehabilitation context with four measurement points (N = 275). RESULTS: Structural equation modeling revealed the following: Positive experience is directly related with motivational self-efficacy as well as intentions in both samples. In the online sample only, positive experience is associated with volitional self-efficacy. In each sample, experience is indirectly associated with action planning via motivational self-efficacy and intentions. Moreover, action planning, in turn, predicts changes in physical exercise levels. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a more prominent role of positive experience in the motivational than in the volitional phase of physical exercise change. Thus, this research contributes to the understanding of how positive experience is involved in the behavior change process.
PURPOSE: Motivational processes can be set in motion when positive consequences of physical exercise are experienced. However, relationships between positive exercise experience and determinants of the motivational and the volitional phases of exercise change have attracted only sparse attention in research. METHOD: This research examines direct and indirect associations between positive experience and motivational as well as volitional self-efficacy, intention, action planning, and exercise in two distinct longitudinal samples. The first one originates from an online observational study in the general population with three measurement points in time (N = 350) and the second one from a clinical intervention study in a rehabilitation context with four measurement points (N = 275). RESULTS: Structural equation modeling revealed the following: Positive experience is directly related with motivational self-efficacy as well as intentions in both samples. In the online sample only, positive experience is associated with volitional self-efficacy. In each sample, experience is indirectly associated with action planning via motivational self-efficacy and intentions. Moreover, action planning, in turn, predicts changes in physical exercise levels. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a more prominent role of positive experience in the motivational than in the volitional phase of physical exercise change. Thus, this research contributes to the understanding of how positive experience is involved in the behavior change process.
Authors: Kristin L Schneider; Michael J Coons; H Gene McFadden; Christine A Pellegrini; Andrew DeMott; Juned Siddique; Donald Hedeker; Laura Aylward; Bonnie Spring Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2016-04-07 Impact factor: 4.267