Exploring Physical Activity by Ethnicity and Gender in College Students Using Social Cognitive Theory.

AbstractThe psychological determinants of physical activity (PA) among college students may vary by ethnicity and gender, but few studies have considered these characteristics. This study tested constructs from Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) by ethnicity and gender to explain differences in PA. A total of 231 Blacks (70% female) and 218 White college students (28% female) completed the SCT questionnaire and a PA assessment two months later. Sequential regressions with interactions were used to examine how SCT constructs were associated with ethnic and gender when predicting PA. The results indicated that self-efficacy and self-regulation were significant predictors of PA for both ethnic groups and both genders. In addition, PA was statistically moderated by gender, but not by ethnicity, for perceptions of available PA facilities, with a stronger association for females. This study suggests that SCT may aid in understanding collegiate PA and help explain differences in PA between genders. Last, because of strong associations between self-efficacy and PA shown in this study, self-efficacy should be considered when developing ethnic-specific PA interventions in college students.Keywords: university, exercise, theoretical frameworksIt is clear that physical activity participation relates directly to health. For instance, the American Cancer Society (ACS, 2010) has identified physical inactivity as one of the largest risk factors for developing cancers. Taken as a whole, inactivity has now been linked to the majority of chronic diseases and premature mortality (Warburton, Charlesworth, Ivey, Nettlefold, & Bredin, 2010). Conversely, the health benefits of being physically active on a regular basis are also well-known (United States Surgeon General [USSG], 1996). Even in small amounts, physical activity lends great benefit to disease prevention, overall fitness and well-being (Kesaniemi, Riddoch, Reeder, Blair, & Sorensen, 2010). Despite the benefits of being physically active, the majority of Americans continue to be completely sedentary or fail to engage in recommended levels of activity (Cory et al., 2010; Hughes et al., 2010). Less than half of Americans meet recommended levels of moderate physical activity, and over two-thirds do not meet vigorous physical activity marks. In addition, two correlates that seem to be consistent predictors of participation in physical activity are gender and ethnicity (United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2009). Data show that men (68.9%) are more likely than women (60.4%) and that Whites (67.5%) are more likely than Blacks (56.5%) to be physically active (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2008). Research has also shown that physical activity decreases over the lifespan, with large decreases happening from adolescence into early adulthood (American College Health Association [ACHA], 2010; Haase, Steptoe, Sallis, & Wardle, 2004). Currently, less than half of college students meet the recommended amount of physical activity for health benefits (ACHA, 20 1 0). Although there are known disparities in physical activity for different groups, the findings of research into the psychological and theoretical correlates of physical activity by gender and ethnicity have often been inconsistent regarding what correlates predict physical activity, and/or relevant studies have not fully used theoretical frameworks in identifying correlates of physical activity (Blanchard et al., 2008; Egli, Bland, Melton, & Czech, 201 1 ; McArthur & Raedeke, 2009). A primary step in designing physical activity interventions is to ensure that they are based upon an appropriate theoretical framework and take into account correlates such as ethnicity and gender that influence successful uptake and maintenance equally across groups (Taylor, Baranowski, & Young, 1998). One framework that has been successfully used to explain physical activity is Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) (Bandura, 2004). …