title: Exercise adoption among older, low-income women at risk for cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Using an expanded Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) model, we hypothesized that self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and exercise self-definition would predict exercise adoption. This secondary analysis examined data from a prospective single-group study of low-income women who received a physician screen and referral to a community-based, free exercise program. The sample included 190 older, low-income women with a mean age of 64 years, the majority of whom were African American (66%) and had at least one cardiovascular risk factor (92%). Baseline values of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and exercise self-definition were measured using instruments developed for the study. Exercise adoption was defined as the number of exercise sessions completed over 8 weeks. Our hypothesis was tested using hierarchical multiple regression. The mean number of exercise sessions completed over the 8-week period was 5.7 out of a recommended 24. Value of Exercise scores, a subscale of the Exercise Self-Definition scale, predicted exercise adoption. Self-efficacy and outcome expectations were not predictive. The significance of Value of Exercise scores reinforces the importance of expanding SCT with additional variables such as exercise self-definition. Future work should emphasize the social and environmental factors that form an important part of SCT.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. lauramhays@comcast.net
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hays
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pressler
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Damush
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rawl
authors.forename: Daniel O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*