title: Leisure-time physical activity in an African-American population.
abstract: Despite the many important benefits of leisure-time physical exercise on health, many Americans do not engage in exercise. This is more the case for the African-American population. This study assesses the impact of efficacy cognitions on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in an African-American sample. Our findings show that LTPA is predicted by the sense of efficacy in this African-American sample. Further analyses address significant factors in the prediction of the sense of efficacy. We find that the general sense of mastery predicts efficacy in this African-American sample. This may be especially significant for the African-American population. Also, analysis reveals surprising findings concerning characteristics predictive of efficacy cognitions. The highly educated are least likely to believe in the efficacy of preventive health behavior.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014505:Urban Population