Thesis
An investigation of novel predictors of physical activity in individuals attempting weight loss
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Nov 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6551
Abstract
Despite the well-established benefits of physical activity, current interventions to promote physical activity produce only small to moderate effects that are poorly maintained. Social cognitive theories have attempted to explain behavior, identifying self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and self-regulation as potentially important predictors of physical activity engagement. However, self-regulation has rarely been measured by processes such as distress tolerance (the ability to persist in a psychologically or physically distressing task) or executive function (a complex set of neurocognitive processes that enable self-directed behavior), which underlie the ability to regulate behavior. The current study aimed to evaluate self-regulation, measured by physical and psychological distress tolerance, delay discounting, set-shifting, and complex problem-solving as predictors of physical activity intention, physical activity behavior, and the relationship between intention and behavior in a sample of individuals at the six-month point of a behavioral weight loss program. Results revealed that self-regulatory ability may predict intention and behavior, specifically that physical distress tolerance is positively associated with intention and delay discounting is positively associated with behavior. No measure of self-regulation was associated with the gap between intention and behavior. Delay discounting may, however, moderate the relationship between intention and behavior. Finally, several interactions between physical distress tolerance and executive function variables indicate that deficits in one measure of self-regulation may moderate the relationship between other measures of self-regulation and physical activity intention and behavior. Results indicate that self-regulation may be an important and understudied area of research with regard to physical activity. Future research should seek to further delineate these relationships in order to inform treatment development.
Metrics
46 File views/ downloads
29 Record Views
Details
- Title
- An investigation of novel predictors of physical activity in individuals attempting weight loss
- Creators
- Stephanie G. Kerrigan - Drexel University, Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)
- Contributors
- Meghan L. Butryn (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6551; 991014632654004721