Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title
Taber DR, Meischke H, Maciejewski ML. Testing social cognitive mechanisms of exercise in college students. American Journal of Health Behavior. 2010 Mar 1; 34(2):156-65.
OBJECTIVES: To determine if different dimensions of outcome expectations are mediators between self-efficacy and exercise among college students. METHODS: Students (n = 290) reported exercise levels, self-efficacy, and expectations using a Web-based questionnaire. Factor analysis was performed to identify dimensions of expectations; regression analyses tested whether each factor mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and exercise. RESULTS: Physical, mental, social, and self-evaluative expectations emerged from the factor analysis, but none was associated with exercise independent of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy, however, was significantly associated with exercise independent of expectations (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: College students' activity expectations are multidimensional, but do not mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and exercise.