Transtheoretical Physical Activity Strategies Project

 

Principal Investigators: Jeff McCubbin, Ph.D.,
Brad Cardinal, Ph.D., Oregon State University
Researcher: Maria Kosma, PhD
Time Frame: Years 1 - 3

The purpose of this study was to identify which constructs from the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change (behavioral and cognitive processes of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy), along with exercise barriers, mostly affect individuals with disabilities' stage of change for exercise behavior. This was a cross-sectional survey of 322 adults with physical disabilities. The majority of participants (68.9%) used some form of assistive device (e.g., artificial limb, cane, crutches, scooter, wheelchair), were female (62.1%), and Caucasian (91.9%). The mean age of participants was 52.5 years (SD = 13.9). Participants completed and returned standardized questionnaires for each TTM construct, along with a measure of exercise barriers. In univariate analyses, all of the constructs were significantly (p < .001) associated with the stages of change for exercise behavior. The largest portion of variance was derived from the behavioral processes of change (h2 = .40), followed by self-efficacy (h2 = .30), decisional balance (h2 = .24), the cognitive processes of change (h2 = .16), and exercise barriers (h2 = .15). Direct Discriminant Function (multivariate) analysis revealed three discriminant functions which accounted for 76.4% (p < .001), 19.4% p < .001), and 3.8% (p < .01), respectively, of the between-group (stage of change) variability. The overall stage of change classification accuracy was 67.4%. This was the first study to examine stage of change for exercise behavior among adults with physical disabilities on the basis of the full TTM and exercise barriers. Overall, the results are in general agreement with existing evidence among non-disabled populations. This provides further cross-sectional support for the internal validation of TTM, as well as the external validation of TTM and exercise barriers among a unique and understudied population segment. Behavioral strategies derived from TTM such as being moved emotionally, being rewarded, being a role model, developing a healthy self-image, gathering information, getting social support, making a commitment, making substitutions, taking advantage of social mores, and using cues may all facilitate adults with physical disabilities' stage of change for exercise behavior.

Resources:

Transtheoretical Strategies for Physical Activity. A presentation by Brad Cardinal, PhD; Jeff McCubbin, PhD and Maria Kosma, PhD at the "Changing Concepts of Health and Disability" Science Conference in 2003

Kosma, M., Cardinal, B.J., & Rintala, P. (2002). Motivating individuals with disabilities to be physically active. Quest, 54, 116-132.

Kosma, M., Cardinal, B.J., & McCubbin, J. (2003). Factors influencing physical activity among adults with physical disabilities. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 74 (March Supplement).

Cardinal BJ, Kosma M, McCubbin JA. (2003), A national study of adults with physical disabilities' physical activitity behavior using transtheoretical model constructs. [Abstract No. 407]. Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise 35(5): S75.

Brad Cardinal. (2003). Transtheoretical Strategies for Physical Activity. In: RRTC Health and Wellness Consortium (Eds.). Changing Concepts of Health & Disability: State of the Science Conference & Policy Forum 2003 (pp. 46-51). Portland, OR: Oregon Health and Sciences University.