Social Cognitive Theory and Physical Activity in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: The expanding population of older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) likely experience many of the same benefits of physical activity as younger and middle-aged adults with MS. However, participation in physical activity is exceedingly low in this particular segment of the MS population. This study examined variables from social cognitive theory (SCT) as correlates of physical activity in older adults with MS, as this might inform the subsequent development of behavioral interventions. Methods: Older adults with MS (≥60 years, N = 180) completed an online survey including demographics and clinical characteristics, SCT variables (exercise self-efficacy, exercise goal setting, social support, and outcome expectations), and physical activity (total physical activity (PA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)). Results: Bivariate correlation analyses indicated that all SCT variables were significantly associated with both PA and MVPA (all P values ≤ .001). Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that disability status was a significant correlate of PA (β = −0.48; R2 = 0.23) and MVPA (β = −0.44; R2 = 0.19) in Step 1; disability and self-efficacy were significant correlates of PA (disability β = −0.20; self-efficacy β = 0.59; R2 = 0.50) and MVPA (disability β = −0.16; self-efficacy β = 0.60; R2 = 0.47) in Step 2; and disability, self-efficacy, and exercise goal setting were significant correlates of PA (disability β = −0.21; self-efficacy β = 0.50; exercise goal setting β = 0.14; R2 = 0.55) and MVPA (disability β = −0.17; self-efficacy β = 0.51; exercise goal setting β = 0.15; R2 = 0.51) in Step 3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that behavioral interventions targeting self-efficacy and exercise goal setting as targets from SCT may be appropriate for increasing physical activity in older adults with MS.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in older adults with multiple sclerosis

“…12 The reduction in physical activity among older adults with MS has been explained, in part, by social-cognitive theory (SCT) variables. 24,25 SCT identifies self-efficacy, outcome expectations, barriers/facilitators, and goal setting and action planning as core determinants of behavior, including physical activity, and those variables can be directly targeted by behavior change techniques for increasing MVPA. Accordingly, our results may support future efforts toward the design and delivery of SCT-based behavior change interventions targeting physical activity in older adults with MS.…”

Correlates of Objectively Measured Physical Activity Among People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Self-efficacy is a consistent positive correlate of PA ( 12 ). Comparison with existing research is difficult due to varied PA data collection methods, examination of associations using univariable analyses ( 27 , 41 ), or analyses that control for a wide range of confounding variables from environmental factors ( 16 ) to social cognitive theory constructs ( 42 ). In this work the relationship between self-efficacy and PA may have been confounded by the inclusion of MSWS-12 in the model which is negatively associated with both self-efficacy ( 43 ) and PA ( 44 ).…”

xploration of the Physical Activity Guidelines for People with Multiple Sclerosis

“…Therefore, an intervention that aims to improve exercise participation must also employ techniques to facilitate engagement in exercise behaviour. Chapter 5 discussed how exercise self-efficacy, a construct of the social cognitive theory, is likely to support and improve the activity levels of PWMS 480 . Theory-driven interventions are more effective than interventions without theory as they outline the mechanisms of behaviour change 481 .…”