Gender differences in influences of perceived environmental and psychosocial correlates on recommended level of physical activity among New Zealanders.

P Phongsavan, Grant McLean and A Bauman

Psychology of Sport & Exercise

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Using the data derived from a nationally representative mail survey conducted in New Zealand, this study firstly considered whether psychosocial factors influence physical activity (PA) participation independent of environmental factors. The second purpose was to examine whether one psychosocial dimension exerted a stronger influence on PA than others, and if the relative influences of these factors vary between men and women. This was a cross-sectional population-wide study of adults aged 16 years and older, who were classified as ‘sufficiently active’ if they had accumulated at least 150min over five or more days per week of walking, moderate or vigorous-intensity PA. Summary scores for perceived availability of facilities supportive of PA, self-efficacy, social support, extrinsic motivation and health outcome expectancies were computed and three levels created for each variable (e.g., low, moderate and high self-efficacy). The researchers found that having high PA self-efficacy impacted substantially on the relationships with PA for men and women, followed by social support for PA, but only among women. After controlling for socio-demographic variables and psychosocial factors, having high availability of facilities supportive of PA was associated with sufficient PA among men. Among women, no significant relationships were observed between perceived availability and sufficient activity after adjusting for psychosocial factors. The authors conclude that perceived environmental and psychosocial factors are of differential importance on PA participation across gender

Keywords:

behavioural support, participation, physical activity, psychology, sec factors, social support, wm

Cross-sectional

Facilities

1355

November 14, 2011