title: Testing principle working mechanisms of the health action process approach for subjective physical age groups.
abstract: This study investigated differences in social-cognitive predictors and self-regulatory planning, as proposed by the health action process approach (HAPA), across three different subjective physical age groups for physical activity. With a cross-sectional design, 521 participants across the chronological age span from 25 to 86 years (M = 48.79; SD = 12.66) were separated into three groups: those who feel physically younger than they are in terms of chronological age, the same perceived and chronological age, and feeling physically older compared to their chronological age. Participants were assessed regarding their perceived vulnerability, outcome expectancies, general intentions, planning, self-efficacy, and stages of physical activity (non-intenders, intenders, and actors). Data were analysed via mean comparison and multigroup structural equation modelling. Mean differences for all but one construct were eminent in all groups, generally showing that those feeling physically younger also report better social-cognitive predictors of physical activity (e.g. lower perceived vulnerability) in comparison to those who feel the same age or older. The model showed that basic working mechanisms of the HAPA can be applied to all groups. With that, the results provide for the first time evidence that principle working mechanism of the HAPA can be applied to all subjective physical age groups. These may be used to tailor health promoting interventions according to participants' needs as a more suitable proxy than chronological age.
authors.affiliation: a Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology , University of Lübeck , Lübeck , Germany.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wienert
authors.affiliation: b Research Methods, Assessment and iScience, Department of Psychology , University of Konstanz , Konstanz , Germany.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuhlmann
authors.affiliation: c Bremer Institut für Herz- und Kreislaufforschung am Klinikum Links der Weser , Bremen , Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: c Bremer Institut für Herz- und Kreislaufforschung am Klinikum Links der Weser , Bremen , Germany.
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hambrecht
authors.affiliation: d Jacobs Center on Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development, Psychology & Methods , Jacobs University Bremen , Bremen , Germany.|e Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS) , Bremen , Germany.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lippke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: age; health behaviour; lifespan; modelling; self-perception; self-report