The Influence of Physical Activity and Television on the Intention and Self-Efficacy to Engage in Health-Enhancing Behaviors

Cancer and heart disease account for the largest proportion of morbidity and mortality among all adult diseases in the United States. Research has focused on identifying causal risk factors among adolescents. However, theories of health behavior change also stress the intermediary factors of intention and efficacy for effective behavior change. Existing research supports the potential of physical activity (PA), particularly learned through the domains of exercise and sport, as a means to developing these necessary skills (Danish, Petitpas, & Hale, 1993). The current investigation examined the influence of PA and television watching (TV) on intentions and efficacy to engage in health-enhancing behaviors. This was achieved by analyzing data from Building a BRIDGE to Better Health, a school-based health promotion program. Results indicate that independently, PA and TV significantly influence specific as well as general intentions and efficacy. These findings have important implications for adolescent health behavior.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2006

Author dc:creator

• Wallace, Ian Joseph

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Steven Danish

• cancer
• adolescence
• health beliefs
• exercise
• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1351

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-2350