The effects of discriminate message interventions on behavioral intentions to engage in physical activities.
OBJECTIVE
The authors attempt to show the usefulness of discriminate messages designed to increase college students' intentions to engage in physical activities.


METHODS
The authors selected a sample of undergraduate students enrolled in communication courses at a university in the southeastern United States for a baseline online survey (n=683) and an experiment (n=99).


METHODS
The authors selected discriminate beliefs with highest regression weights and sizable effect size with behavioral intention to build messages for classroom intervention. The authors used an analysis of covariance to test the intervention effect of discriminate messages on intention to do physical activities.


RESULTS
Students exposed to the discriminate messages were more likely to report positive changes in their self-efficacy and behavioral intentions related to physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research on communication theories is required to help design the selected beliefs so that they will be comprehended and ultimately lead to behavioral changes.
Jung
Taejin
T
Communication Studies Department, State University of New York, Oswego, NY 13126, USA. jung@oswego.edu
Heald
Gary R
GR
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult