Physical activity behaviors and emotional self-efficacy: is there a relationship for adolescents?
BACKGROUND
This study explored relationships between physical activity (PA) behaviors and emotional self-efficacy (ESE) in a statewide sample of public high school adolescents in South Carolina (n=3836).


METHODS
The Center for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Survey PA items and an adolescent ESE scale were used. Logistic regression analyses and multivariate models constructed separately, revealed significant race by gender findings.


RESULTS
Results suggest that reduced vigorous PA (past 7 days), moderate PA (past 7 days), strengthening/toning exercises (past 7 days), and playing on sport teams (past 12 months) were associated (p<or=.05) with reduced ESE for specific race/gender groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Results have implications for school- and community-based mental health services and PA programs for adolescents. Measures of ESE as a component of comprehensive assessments of adolescent mental health and PA behaviors in fieldwork, research, and program-evaluation efforts should be considered.
Valois
Robert F
RF
Health Promotion, Education & Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. rfvalois@gwm.sc.edu
Umstattd
M Renée
MR
Zullig
Keith J
KJ
Paxton
Raheem J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D044465:White People