Prospective Examination of Self‐Regulatory Efficacy in Predicting Walking for Active Transportation: A Social Cognitive Theory Approach

Abstract

Walking for transportation is associated with health benefits. Minimal theory‐based research has examined social cognitive and environmental predictors. This study examined social cognitions (self‐regulatory efficacy to plan/schedule and overcome barriers; distance and travel time cognitions) and an environmental factor (proximity) as predictors of walking for transportation. Participants (n = 105) were university students, faculty, and staff, living within a walkable distance to campus. Social cognitions and proximity measures were completed at baseline, followed by walking for transportation to/from the campus over 2 weeks. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis predicted walking (R2adjusted = .55; p < .05). Self‐regulatory efficacy to plan/schedule and overcome barriers were independent predictors (p's < .01). Findings supported theoretical contentions that self‐regulatory efficacy predicts walking for transportation.

Motivation, Learning, and Instruction

“…The tenets of SCT are far-reaching; the theory and its correlates have served as the basis for work in education, as well as in numerous other fields including human nutrition (Lubans et al, 2012), exercise science (Fuller et al, 2012), and career development (Zikic and Saks, 2009). The theory emphasizes the social interactions between individuals and various aspects of the environments in which they live.…”

Barriers to Physical Activity Among Gay Men

“…In previous research, the frequency with which a barrier occurred (i.e., number of days in a week the barrier was experienced) was not a significant predictor of participation in physical activity; however, barrier limitation had a significant negative association, and self-regulatory efficacy had a significant positive association with physical activity (Brittain et al, 2008;Brittain, Gyurcsik, McElroy, & Hillard, 2011;Fuller et al, 2012;Gyurcsik et al, 2009;Gyurcsik et al, 2013). Furthermore, individuals who were physically active at the recommended levels (i.e., sufficiently active) compared to individuals who were not meeting the recommended levels (i.e., insufficiently active) had significantly lower barrier limitation (Brittain et al, 2008;Brittain et al, 2012) and significantly higher self-regulatory efficacy to overcome barriers (Gyurcsik et al, 2013).…”

“…In addition to identifying whether individuals experience general and population-specific barriers, an examination of the extent to which barriers limit physical activity participation (i.e., barrier limitation) and the level of one's confidence to overcome barriers (i.e., self-regulatory efficacy) is also warranted (Brawley et al, 1998;Brawley, Gierc, & Locke, 2013;Fuller, Gyurcsik, Spink, & Brawley, 2012;Gyurcsik, Brawley, Spink, & Sessford, 2013). In previous research, the frequency with which a barrier occurred (i.e., number of days in a week the barrier was experienced) was not a significant predictor of participation in physical activity; however, barrier limitation had a significant negative association, and self-regulatory efficacy had a significant positive association with physical activity (Brittain et al, 2008;Brittain, Gyurcsik, McElroy, & Hillard, 2011;Fuller et al, 2012;Gyurcsik et al, 2009;Gyurcsik et al, 2013).…”