Predictors of physical activity among rural and small town breast cancer survivors: An application of the theory of planned behaviour

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the utility of the two-component theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in understanding physical activity intentions and behaviour in rural and small town breast cancer survivors. The secondary objective was to elicit the most common behavioural, normative and control beliefs of rural and small town survivors regarding physical activity. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 524 rural and small town breast cancer survivors completed a mailed survey that assessed physical activity and TPB variables. Physical activity intention explained 12% of the variance in physical activity behaviour (p < 0.01) while the TPB constructs together explained 43% of the variance in physical activity intention (p < 0.01). Unique behavioural, normative and control beliefs were elicited from the sample. The two-component TPB framework appears to be a suitable model to initiate an understanding of physical activity determinants among rural and small town breast cancer survivors. These data can be used in the development and establishment of physical activity behaviour interventions and health promotion materials designed to facilitate physical activity behaviour among rural and small town breast cancer survivors.

Breast Cancer Survivors' Supportive Care Needs, Posttraumatic Growth and Satisfaction with Doctors' Interpersonal Skills in Relation to Physical Activity 8 Months after the End of Treatment: A Prospective Exploratory Study

“…The prevalence rate of PA in this sample is comparable to the moderate PA reported in rural BCSs [51] and in mixed cancer survivors [52]. Our cut-off for PA level (i.e.…”

What Explains the Intention to Be Physically Active in Cancer Patients? Different Determinants for Active and Insufficiently Active Patients

“…To date, only a few other studies in the field of physical activity and cancer have used elicitation studies to assess the behavioral beliefs that predict attitudes in the TPB framework (Bélanger et al, 2012;Courneya & Friedenreich, 1999;Karvinen et al, 2007;Keats et al, 2007;Peddle et al, 2009;Trinh et al, 2012;Vallance, Lavallee, Culos-Reed, & Trudeau, 2012). This is a good approach, but one needs to be careful that the behavioral beliefs are not biased in a positive direction.…”

Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines in Rural Breast Cancer Survivors

“…Rural breast cancer survivors have different physical activity programming needs due to differing social capital structure and environmental conditions. 16 Our measure of perceived environmental facilitators included assessment of the walkability to shops, stores, and markets; the presence of sidewalks; the presence of areas for biking, such as bike paths; and the local accessibility to recreation facilities or public playgrounds, swimming pools, etc. The combination of these environmental characteristics contributed to both barrier and exercise self-efficacy.…”

“…As modeled, social support is a source of efficacy information for this population 47 and this may be of particular importance for breast cancer survivors living in rural areas. 16,48 Given their lower accessibility to medical centers and health programming, rural breast cancer survivors need more emotional support after diagnosis. 48 Social support is multifaceted 49 and determining which types of support are more likely to influence physical activity in rural breast cancer survivors would be useful for designing interventions to maximize physical activity.…”

“…13 Few studies have reported correlates of physical activity in rural breast cancer survivors. 14–16 After breast cancer diagnosis, rural populations, who constitute one of the largest medically underserved groups of breast cancer survivors, 14,15 are more likely to be sedentary and suffer poor health status.…”