Description
TitlePredicting exercise in persons with psychiatric disabilities
Date Created2015
Other Date2015-05 (degree)
Extent1 online resource (106 p. : ill.)
DescriptionPeople with psychiatric disabilities such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression are at risk for premature mortality and morbidity related to chronic health conditions. Physical activity improves health and quality of life, and shows promise for supporting mental health recovery. Physical activity is a complex behavior with many correlates. To date, no unifying theoretical model has fully explored the motivational constructs of physical activity in persons with psychiatric disabilities. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) includes multiple correlates and predicts physical activity in many populations, including those with chronic health conditions. A proposed SCT model was tested to predict self-report exercise in persons with psychiatric disabilities. Recruitment of 120 persons from community mental health centers and supported housing programs in New Jersey completed nine self-report measures related to SCT variables, health, psychiatric distress and demographics in a cross-sectional design. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test the hypothesis that the model would predict physical activity. Correlation and linear regression was used to test the secondary hypotheses regarding the relationships within the model. The proposed social cognitive model variables of social support, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, barriers and goal-setting practices in conjunction with the correlates of gender, age, number of health conditions and distress from psychiatric symptoms predicted 25% of the variance in self-report exercise. The model was significant overall, however SCT correlates did not show a significant prediction of exercise after controlling for gender, age, number of health conditions and distress from psychiatric symptoms. As predicted, amount of physical activity is related to the SCT correlates, except number of barriers. Depressive symptoms and female gender were both significant predictors of reduced physical activity, and less motivation for exercise. Self-efficacy for exercise was confirmed to have strong relationships with outcome expectations and goal-setting practices, with moderate relationships to barriers and social support. Exercise interventions based upon SCT should address gender and psychiatric symptom differences for best outcomes. Focused interventions providing goal-setting and goal-tracking skills may improve self-efficacy, and in turn increase the amount of weekly exercise. Additionally, mental health providers must consider type of social support necessary to encourage increased physical activity.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Michelle Robinson Zechner
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Languageeng
CollectionSchool of Health Professions ETD Collection
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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