The role of self-efficacy and referent specific social support in promoting rural adolescent girls' physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of social support (SS) and self-efficacy (SE) for physical activity (PA) in rural high school girls (N = 259, 15.5+1.2 yrs).


METHODS
Using structural equation modeling, the relationships among PA, SS for PA from mother, father, and peers, and SE for overcoming barriers, seeking support, and resisting competing activities were tested.


RESULTS
The effect of peer SS on PA was partially mediated through overcoming barriers. The effect of support seeking on PA was fully mediated through peer SS to overcoming barriers. Neither parent influenced PA.


CONCLUSIONS
Peer SS and specific dimensions of SE should be considered in intervention studies.
Beets
Michael W
MW
Department of Public Health, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-6406, USA. beetsm@onid.orst.edu
Pitetti
Kenneth H
KH
Forlaw
Loretta
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010379:Peer Group; D012423:Rural Health; D012574:Schools; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires