Incorporating self-efficacy and interpersonal support in an intervention to increase physical activity in older women.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of five versus one session of Behavioral Counseling in a 12-week intervention to increase self-efficacy and family and friend support for activity, and examine self-efficacy and support as mediators of activity among 46 urban women.


METHODS
A randomized, controlled trial conducted during 2004 in Omaha, Nebraska. Outcomes were analyzed with Repeated Measures-ANOVA and path analysis.


RESULTS
No significant change was observed in self-efficacy in the five-session group, but a significant decrease was observed in the one-session group (p = .005). Family and friend support increased significantly in the five-session group (p < .001, p = .019). The intervention effect on activity was mediated through change in self-efficacy and family support.


CONCLUSIONS
Five behavioral counseling sessions maintained self-efficacy and increased family and friend support although the intervention did not directly affect activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention can be replicated within various community settings.
Costanzo
Cindy
C
Creighton University, School of Nursing, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. cindycostanzo@creighton.edu
Walker
Susan Noble
SN
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009329:Nebraska; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires