title: Evidence for a multidimensional self-efficacy for exercise scale.
abstract: This series of three studies considers the multidimensionality of exercise self-efficacy by examining the psychometric characteristics of an instrument designed to assess three behavioral subdomains: task, scheduling, and coping. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis revealed the expected factor structure in a sample of 395 students. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed these results in a second sample of 282 students. In Study 2, the generalizability of the factor structure was confirmed with CFA in a randomly selected sample of 470 community adults, and discriminant validity was supported by theoretically consistent distinctions among exercisers and nonexercisers. In Study 3, change in self-efficacy in conjunction with adoption of novel exercise was examined in a sample of 58 women over 12 weeks. Observed changes in the three self-efficacy domains appeared to be relatively independent. Together, the three studies support a multidimensional conceptualization of exercise self-efficacy that can be assessed and appears to be sensitive to change in exercise behavior.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. wendy.rodgers@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D020377:Self Efficacy