title: PSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTORS OF FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENTS' MOTIVATIONAL RESPONSES: A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS.
abstract: According to social cognitive theory, group cohesion and self-efficacy have been identified as important environmental and individual elements in students' physical activity. This study examined the correlations among group cohesion, exercise self-efficacy, perceived interest, and physical activity among 143 female college students (M age = 21.2 yr., SD = 4.2) enrolled in aerobics dance classes. Participants were recruited by researchers at the beginning of the semester. In the 6th wk., students completed a questionnaire measuring group cohesion construct. At the end of the 13th wk., a survey on self-efficacy, perceived interest, and physical activity measures was completed by the students. Multiple regression analyses indicated both exercise self-efficacy and task cohesion explained significant variance in students' physical activity; also, Individual Attraction to the Group-Task (ATG-T) accounted for 9.6% of the variance in exercise self-efficacy. The results suggest that enhancing group cohesiveness may promote competence beliefs, which could motivate students' participation in group activity programs.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of North Texas.
authors.forename: Xiangli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: 1 University of North Texas.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: 2 Hudson Middle School.
authors.forename: Kayla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult