Psychosocial predictors of physical activity and health-related quality of life among adults with physical disabilities: an integrative framework.
BACKGROUND
People with disabilities report lower physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) levels than people without disabilities. Therefore, it is important to identify factors that motivate individuals with disabilities to be physically active and thus increase their HRQOL.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to prospectively explore the effects of past theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs on future (6-month) HRQOL (physical and mental health) through past stages of change (SOC) and future (6-month) PA among adults with physical disabilities. Two models were tested whereby the SOC and PA served as the mediators between the TPB constructs, physical health (PH-Model), and mental health (MH-Model). It was hypothesized that both models would fit the sample data.


METHODS
Participants were 141 adults with physical disabilities (mean age = 46.04, females = 70.9%). The online survey was completed at two different time periods. First, the TPB constructs and SOC were assessed using self-report standardized questionnaires. Six months later, participants completed standardized self-report scales about their PA and HRQOL levels. Using LISREL 8, two path analyses were conducted to examine the two study models (PH-Model and MH-Model).


RESULTS
Based on the two path analyses, attitude had the highest effect on SOC followed by perceived behavioral control within both well-fit models. The PH-Model explained more variance in PA (26%) and physical health (55%) than the MH-Model.


CONCLUSIONS
Health promoters should reinforce both positive intentions and behavioral experiences to increase PA and HRQOL among adults with physical disabilities.
Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. mkosma@lsu.edu
Maria
M
Kosma
Rebecca
R
Ellis
Bradley J
BJ
Cardinal
Jeremy J
JJ
Bauer
Jeffrey A
JA
McCubbin
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009043:Motor Activity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires