Social-cognitive predictors of health behavior: action self-efficacy and coping self-efficacy.
The effects of social-cognitive variables on preventive nutrition and behavioral intentions were studied in 580 adults at 2 points in time. The authors hypothesized that optimistic self-beliefs operate in 2 phases and made a distinction between action self-efficacy (preintention) and coping self-efficacy (postintention). Risk perceptions, outcome expectancies, and action self-efficacy were specified as predictors of the intention at Wave 1. Behavioral intention and coping self-efficacy served as mediators linking the 3 predictors with low-fat and high-fiber dietary intake 6 months later at Wave 2. Covariance structure analysis yielded a good model fit for the total sample and 6 subsamples created by a median split of 3 moderators: gender, age, and body weight. Parameter estimates differed between samples; the importance of perceived self-efficacy increased with age and weight.
Schwarzer
R
R
Gesundeheitspsychologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. health@zedat.fu-berlin.de
Renner
B
B
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D020377:Self Efficacy
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber