Understanding the intention-to-behaviour relationship for adolescents: an application of the multi-process action control model

A school-family blended multi-component physical activity program for Fundamental Motor Skills Promotion Program for Obese Children (FMSPPOC): protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

“…In the M-PAC framework, intention is conceived as a decisional construct (i.e., has intention/ has no intention). Similar with the tenets of other psychosocial theories (e.g., the Theory of Planned Behavior, TBP; Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior model, COM-B), the M-PAC emphasizes the influence of several determinants of intention which function in the reflective processes (i.e., consciously deliberated and expected consequences of performing a behavior) [ 65 ]. Particularly, instrumental attitude (e.g., PA is useful), affective attitude (e.g., PA is enjoyable), perceived capability (e.g., I have the ability to perform a behavior), and perceived opportunity (e.g., I have the time and can access to perform PA) play a crucial role in forming a behavioral intention [ 66 ].…”

“…It suggests that impulsive components affect actional control most often through learned associations and are triggered through specific circumstances/cues and stimuli [ 69 ]. The M-PAC framework emphasizes the development of two crucial reflexive processes, including habit (e.g., I will engage in PA automatically) and identity (e.g., I am a person who is physically active), as individuals begin to perform the behavior more regularly [ 63 – 65 ]. Therefore, a developed behavioral pattern of action control will be determined by the independent influence of relative, regulatory, and reflexive processes [ 63 – 65 ].…”

“…The M-PAC framework emphasizes the development of two crucial reflexive processes, including habit (e.g., I will engage in PA automatically) and identity (e.g., I am a person who is physically active), as individuals begin to perform the behavior more regularly [ 63 – 65 ]. Therefore, a developed behavioral pattern of action control will be determined by the independent influence of relative, regulatory, and reflexive processes [ 63 – 65 ]. Targeting the psychosocial components of the M-PAC model, a series of Behavioral Change Techniques (BCTs) will be also adopted [ 70 , 71 ] in the FMSPPOC program (see Table 1 ).…”

“…The questionnaire package includes measures for behavioral intention, instrumental and affective attitudes, perceived capability, perceived opportunity, parental support (intentional and actual), action planning and coping planning, action control, habit strength, and identity. The response options and scoring approach will be consistent with the settings in previous studies [ 65 , 66 , 90 , 91 ] Anthropometric and body composition measures Height and weight will be measured calibrated medical digital scales (RGT-140, Changzhou, China) and portable stadiometer (GMCS-I, Beijing, China) to the closest 0.05 kg and 0.1 cm, respectively following a standardized protocol [ 84 ]. Waist circumference will be measured using a flexible plastic tape at 1 cm above the umbilicus from the horizontal level in a standing position, at the end of a normal expiration [ 92 ].…”

Predictive Utility of the Multi-Process Action Control Framework for Self-Reported and Device-Measured Adolescent Physical Activity Behavior

“…Yet, evidence from adult samples indicates that nearly half (47.6%; 38.7% successful intenders versus 33.0% unsuccessful intenders) of individuals with intentions to engage in physical activity are unsuccessful at translating their cognitions into action (Feil et al, 2023), otherwise known as the intention-behavior gap (Sheeran & Webb, 2016). Some recent findings suggest that the intention-behavior discordance may be lower among adolescents (i.e., 37.8% successful intenders versus 12.8% unsuccessful intenders; Haider et al, 2022). Importantly, motivation is a necessary condition for people to be active.…”