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Thesis
Evaluating Mechanisms of Action of Adaptive Goal-Setting for Physical Activity
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000569
Abstract
Behavioral interventions to increase physical activity (PA), which typically prescribe uniform PA goals across participants, may be limited by their insensitivity to changing individual intervention needs across time. One alternative approach is to set variable PA goals that fluctuate based on changing individual performance over time. This intervention technique, known as adaptive goal-setting (AGS), appears more effective for increasing PA than non-adaptive approaches. Still, no prior studies have examined the psychological mechanisms targeted by AGS, which limits the ability to further refine and disseminate this potentially promising technique. In this exploratory study, we recruited a sample of 38 sedentary adults to participate in a short-duration goal-setting intervention (6 weeks) during which participants were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive either AGS or non-adaptive, static goal-setting (SGS). Over the course of the intervention, participants were assessed on variables hypothesized to mediate the effect of AGS on PA outcomes (expectancy beliefs about goals, perceived value of goals, affective appraisal of goals, implicit attitudes towards PA). Results indicated that unexpectedly, adaptive goals were associated with a greater initial increase to PA from baseline to intervention, but also a greater decrease to PA during the intervention phase. Hypotheses that candidate mediators would show differences in change across time by condition were not supported. Findings suggest that AGS may not outperform SGS for improving or maintaining PA under all circumstances, and also highlight the challenges associated with identifying mediators of goal-setting interventions for PA.
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Details
- Title
- Evaluating Mechanisms of Action of Adaptive Goal-Setting for Physical Activity
- Creators
- Michael P. Berry
- Contributors
- Evan M. Forman (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 88 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014962443604721