Self-Efficacy and Planning as Predictors of Physical Activity in the Context of Workplace Health Promotion.

BACKGROUND: Fostering self-efficacy and planning in individuals can support the uptake and maintenance of regular physical activity. This study examined self-efficacy and planning as mechanisms of an online-delivered workplace health promotion intervention to enhance employees' physical activity. A special focus lay on reciprocal interrelations among self-efficacy and planning over time, as previous work predominantly accounted for only one predictive direction at a time. METHODS: Data from N = 1,063 employees of a pharmaceutical company who reported an intention to increase their physical activity levels were assessed at three measurement points up to 12 weeks following the intervention. Cross-lagged panel analyses were performed to examine effects of self-efficacy and planning on physical activity as well as reciprocal interrelations between self-efficacy and planning. RESULTS: Findings indicated an increase in self-efficacy, planning, and physical activity following the intervention. Planning was consistently linked to subsequent physical activity, whereas self-efficacy was not associated. Also, reciprocal interrelations among self-efficacy and planning were found across both measurement lags. CONCLUSIONS: Planning was confirmed as a predictor of physical activity, whereas self-efficacy was not. However, cross-lagged interrelations indicated reciprocal reactivation among self-efficacy and planning over time, suggesting beneficial effects of including strategies that foster both volitional constructs in interventions.

'I do not need a flu shot because I lead a healthy lifestyle': compensatory health beliefs make vaccination less likely.

Compensatory health beliefs, a self-defence strategy, were examined in a theory-guided intervention promoting influenza vaccination at the workplace. In total, 851 employees were randomised to one group aimed at enhancing intention formation (standard group) or to another one assisting self-regulation (intervention group). Assessments took place after the intervention and 5 months later, investigating whether the intervention would interfere with compensatory health beliefs. The intervention generated an indirect effect via planning on vaccination. Compensatory health beliefs mediated between intention and behaviour. An interaction between intervention group and compensatory health beliefs on behaviour transpired. At low compensatory health belief levels, the intervention group resulted in more vaccinations than the standard group.

Changes in social-cognitive variables are associated with stage transitions in physical activity.

When it comes to the adoption or maintenance of physical activity, individuals can be placed along a continuum or into stages of change. The Health Action Process Approach proposes three such stages: non-intentional, intentional and actional. Intraindividual differences are reflected by stage transitions: either progression or regression. The present study examines social-cognitive factors of stage transitions: outcome expectancies, self-efficacy and planning. In an online study on physical activity, 660 adults completed questionnaires at baseline and approximately 3 weeks later. Social-cognitive factors were converted into standardized residual change scores to account for changes in outcome expectancies, self-efficacy and planning within the observation period. Discriminant function analyses revealed stage-specific patterns: progression out of non-intentional stage was associated with self-efficacy increases. Out of intentional stage, regression was correlated with decreases in planning, whereas progression was linked to increases in self-efficacy and planning. Regression from action stage was associated with decreases in self-efficacy. Physical activity promotion should focus on improving self-efficacy for non-intending, intending and acting individuals, whereas planning interventions are recommended for intending individuals. Interventions may be more effective by considering specific mechanisms instead of providing generic interventions for all individuals at different stages.