Self-efficacy, stages of change and physical activity in Irish college students

Aim: A low level of physical activity is a risk factor for several chronic diseases, and evidence suggests that physical activity levels are in decline. Reversing this trend will involve a change in behaviour for most people. However, the associations between many psychosocial determinants and physical activity are not well understood. This study aims to examine the relationship between self-reported physical activity and perceived self-efficacy and stages of change. Subjects and methods: Students attending a third-level college in Dublin, Ireland, were recruited to participate in the study (n=201, mean age 20.7 years). Physical activity was assessed with the use of the long format, self-administered International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and subjects were assigned to tertiles of activity. Self-efficacy and stages of change (in relation to increasing physical activity) were assessed by means of a questionnaire. Results: Males reported more physical activity, had higher self-efficacy and were more likely to be in the action or maintenance stages of change. The stages of change were positively correlated with tertiles of reported activity (P<0.001) in both genders. The correlation between activity and positive self-efficacy was significant (P<0.001) for males but not for females. Conclusion: Self-efficacy may be an important determinant of physical activity, and awareness of the stages of change may also help to explain physical activity although this effect appears to differ by gender. Physical activity is a complex behaviour, and the factors that determine it must be better understood if health promotion strategies to increase it are to be successful.