Volume 29, Issue 4: August, 2002

Abstract

Comparing the Relationships Between Different Types of Self-Efficacy and Physical Activity in Youth

Gregory J.Ryan,MS, David A.Dzewaltowski, PhD

A preliminary study was conducted to compare the relationships between different types of self-efficacy and youth physical activity. Two samples of sixth- and seventh-grade students (Sample 1: N = 57; Sample 2: N = 49) reported their confidence to be physically active (physical activity efficacy), to overcome barriers to physical activity (barriers efficacy), to ask others to be active with them (asking efficacy), and to find and create environments that support physical activity (environmental-change efficacy). Physical activity was measured by averaging three 24-hour recalls of physical activity. Regression analyses were used to test the relationships between the types of self-efficacy and youth physical activity. Compared with the other types of self-efficacy, environmental-change efficacy had the strongest relationship with youth physical activity. This suggests that strengthening young persons'belief in their ability to find and create environments that support physical activity might promote increases in their physical activity.