Sources of self-efficacy for physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of self-efficacy beliefs on physical activity are well documented, but much less is known about the origins of self-efficacy beliefs. This article proposes scales to assess the sources of self-efficacy for physical activity aims and to comparatively test their predictive power for physical activity via self-efficacy over time to detect the principal sources of self-efficacy beliefs for physical activity.


METHODS
A study of 1,406 German adults aged 16-90 years was conducted to construct scales to assess the sources of self-efficacy for physical activity (Study 1). In Study 2, the scales' predictive validity for self-efficacy and physical activity was tested in a sample of 310 older German adults.


RESULTS
Short, reliable and valid instruments to measure six sources of self-efficacy for physical activity were developed that enable researchers to comparatively test the predictive value of the sources of self-efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that mastery experience, self-persuasion, and reduction in negative affective states are the most important predictors of self-efficacy for physical activity in community-dwelling older adults.
Department of Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin.
Lisa M
LM
Warner
University of Tasmania.
Benjamin
B
Schüz
German Centre of Gerontology.
Julia K
JK
Wolff
Department of Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin.
Linda
L
Parschau
German Centre of Gerontology.
Susanne
S
Wurm
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University.
Ralf
R
Schwarzer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D020377:Self Efficacy; D055815:Young Adult