Moderators of the intention-behaviour and perceived behavioural control-behaviour relationships for leisure-time physical activity

• Main Authors: Godin Gaston (Author), Amireault Steve (Author), Vohl Marie-Claude (Author), Pérusse Louis (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2008-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intention is a key determinant of action. However, there is a gap between intention and behavioural performance that remains to be explained. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify moderators of the intention-behaviour and perceived behavioural control (PBC)- behaviour relationships for leisure-time physical activity.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>This was tested in reference to Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behaviour. A sample of 300 volunteers, 192 women and 108 men, aged 18 to 55, participated in the study. At baseline, the participants completed a self-administrated psychosocial questionnaire assessing Ajzen's theory variables (i.e., intention and perceived behavioural control). The behavioural measure was obtained by mail three months later.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Multiple hierarchical regression analyses indicated that age and annual income moderated the intention-behaviour and PBC-behaviour relationships. However, in the final model predicting behaviour (R²= .46), only the interaction term of PBC by annual income (β = .24, <it>p </it>= 0.0003) significantly contributed to the prediction of behaviour along with intention (β = .49, <it>p </it>= 0.0009) and past behaviour (β = .44, <it>p </it>< 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Physical activity promotion programs would benefit not only from focusing on increasing the intention of low intenders, but also from targeting factors that moderate the perceived behavioural control-behaviour relationships.</p>

Item Description

10.1186/1479-5868-5-7
1479-5868