Clarifying the contribution of subjective norm to predicting leisure-time exercise.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the contribution of subjective norm to exercise intention and behavior by considering the influence of descriptive as well as injunctive social norms related to family and friends.


METHODS
A sample of 530 college students completed a questionnaire that assessed descriptive and injunctive social norms related to family and to friends, perceived behavioral control, attitude, intention, and leisure-time exercise.


RESULTS
Friend descriptive social norm was a significant predictor of both intention (p<.05) and leisure-time exercise (p<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Descriptive norms should be incorporated into tests of the theory of planned behavior in the exercise domain.
Okun
Morris A
MA
Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-1104, USA. dr.morris@asu.edu
Karoly
Paul
P
Lutz
Rafer
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D015444:Exercise; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012925:Social Conformity; D015206:Southwestern United States; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities