Does age make a difference? Predicting physical activity of South Koreans.

Social cognition models of health behavior are commonly understood as being universal, which implies that they are applicable to groups varying in age or cultural background, for example. Cultural uniqueness and characteristics of life-span development, however, necessitate the study of differential effects. Accordingly, the health action process approach (HAPA) was examined in younger and middle-aged/older adults from South Korea (N = 697) who participated in a longitudinal health screening study with a 6-month time lag. The HAPA model had a good fit within the middle-aged/older adult sample. Physical activity was predicted by planning, coping self-efficacy, and intention, which were, in turn, predicted by action self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and risk perceptions. Conversely, the results indicated a poor model fit in the younger adult sample. The results suggest a different motivation for the involvement in physical activity as a function of age. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A psychosocial model of sun protection and sunbathing in young women: The impact of health beliefs, attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy for sun protection.

A psychosocial model of sun protection and sunbathing as distinct behaviors was developed on 202 young Caucasian women and replicated in an independent sample (n?=?207). Proximal outcomes were intention to sun protect and intention to sunbathe; distal outcomes included sun protection and sunbathing behavior measured 5 months later. Objective risk for skin cancer plus 4 classes of psychosocial variables (sun-protective health beliefs, self-efficacy for sun protection, attitudes toward sunbathing, and norms for sunbathing and sun protection) served as predictors. Sun-protective norms and self-efficacy for sun protection predicted only intention to sun protect; sunbathing norms predicted only intention to sunbathe. Susceptibility and advantages of tanning predicted both intention constructs, which, in turn, predicted behavior. These findings distinguish sun protection from sunbathing and provide a basis for intervention design. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Avoidance coping strategies moderate the relationship between self-efficacy and 5-year alcohol treatment outcomes.

Both self-efficacy and coping strategies are important determinants of functioning for substance use disorder patients, yet little is known about their interrelationship. This study examined the relationship between abstinence self-efficacy and cognitive components of coping (positive reappraisal, cognitive avoidance) for male participants (n = 2,596) from 15 residential substance use disorder treatment programs who were assessed at treatment entry, discharge, and 5-year follow-up. Cognitive avoidance coping moderated the effects of self-efficacy on alcohol use at 5 years, whereas positive reappraisal coping was largely unrelated to outcomes. Specifically, for patients with low self-efficacy, reliance on avoidance coping strategies was associated with poorer alcohol use outcomes, but as self-efficacy increased, the negative influence of avoidance coping strategies diminished. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comorbidity of substance dependence and depression: Role of life stress and self-efficacy in sustaining abstinence.

The authors examined life stress and self-efficacy as predictors of time to relapse for 113 adults with comorbid major depressive disorder and alcohol and/or substance dependence in a randomized clinical trial comparing 2 psychotherapy interventions (integrated cognitive- behavioral therapy and 12-step facilitation therapy). Life stress, self-efficacy, and substance use were assessed at treatment entry, 12 weeks (mid-treatment), and 24 weeks (end of treatment). Time to relapse was defined as the number of days from treatment initiation until first alcohol and/or drug use. Half of the sample relapsed within the study period of 24 weeks. There was no significant difference between treatment groups. Individuals experiencing life stressors were more likely to relapse early than those not experiencing life stressors. Lower self-efficacy also predicted earlier relapse. Chronic stress levels and self-efficacy were stable across time for most individuals. In contrast, acute stress events occurred at differing times, and survival analyses provided evidence of heightened relapse risk in the month following acute stressors. The interaction of self-efficacy and life stress was not significant. The results highlight the significance of life stress and self-efficacy as predictors of early relapse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of self-efficacy on dropout from obesity treatment.

Investigated the link between low weight-control self-efficacy and dropout rate in 414 participants (mean age 38 yrs) in a behavioral program. Ss had an average weight of 185 lb and were an average of 51 lb overweight. Ss were administered a telephone questionnaire during the 1st 12 wks of their participation. Results show that the 101 dropouts were significantly more likely than stayers to report low self-efficacy at the beginning of their memberships. Dropouts were also significantly less likely to feel successful in weight control and behavior change, even though their rates of weight loss did not differ significantly from those of the stayers. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mechanisms governing empowerment effects: A self-efficacy analysis.

This experiment tested the hypotheses that perceived coping and cognitive control self-efficacy govern the effects of personal empowerment over physical threats. Women participated in a mastery modeling program in which they mastered the physical skills to defend themselves successfully against unarmed sexual assailants. Multifaceted measures of theoretically relevant variables were administered within a staggered intragroup control design to test the immediate and long-term effects of the empowerment program and the mechanisms through which it produced its effects. Mastery modeling enhanced perceived coping and cognitive control efficacy, decreased perceived vulnerability to assault, and reduced the incidence of intrusive negative thinking and anxiety arousal. These changes were accompanied by increased freedom of action and decreased avoidant behavior. Path analyses of causal structures revealed a dual path of regulation of behavior by perceived coping self-efficacy, one mediated through perceived vulnerability and risk discernment and the other through perceived cognitive control self-efficacy and intrusive negative thinking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of depressed mood on smoking cessation: Mediation by postcessation self-efficacy.

This study evaluated the relationship between precessation depressed mood and smoking abstinence and assessed the mediation of this effect by postcessation self-efficacy, urges to smoke, nicotine withdrawal, and coping behavior. The sample included 121 smokers previously treated in a randomized controlled trial involving behavior therapy and the nicotine patch. The results showed that precessation depressed mood was inversely related to 6-month abstinence. This effect remained significant after controlling for treatment, possible depression history, baseline smoking rates, and several other demographic factors. Postcessation self-efficacy, at the 2-, 4-, and 8-week postquit assessments, was the strongest mediator of the effects of precessation depressed mood on abstinence, accounting for 32%, 38%, and 48% of the effect of mood on abstinence, respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Unemployment, distress, and coping: A panel study of autoworkers.

This study of coping with unemployment traces the distress levels of workers in 4 closing and 12 nonclosing General Motors plants. Workers were interviewed 3 mo before plants closed, 1 yr after, and 2 yrs after (final N?=?1,136). Tested were (1) effects of unemployment on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization; (2) linkages between depression and subsequent unemployment, controlling for workers' gender, race, marital status, age, education, prior income, and seniority; and (3) the relationship between workers' coping decisions and subsequent depression. Results showed that unemployment at Waves 2 and 3 was related to prior frequency of symptoms of depression. Depression, in turn, was alleviated for workers whose coping decisions at Wave 2 fit with their Wave 3 outcomes: those who both wanted and found a job, lost a job they disliked, or remained unemployed as planned. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Peer models: Influence on children's self-efficacy and achievement.

Investigated how the self-efficacy and achievement of 72 children (aged 8 yrs 6 mo to 10 yrs 10 mo) were influenced by their observing peer models learn a cognitive skill. Within this context, the effects of modeled mastery and coping behaviors were explored. Ss were children who had experienced difficulties learning subtraction with regrouping operations in their classes. Ss were pre- and posttested on measures of subtraction self-efficacy, skill, and persistence. Ss observed a same-sex peer demonstrate either rapid (mastery model) or gradual (coping model) acquisition of subtraction skills, observed a teacher model demonstrate subtraction operations, or did not observe a model. Ss then judged self-efficacy for learning to subtract and received subtraction training. Observing a peer model led to higher self-efficacy for learning, posttest self-efficacy, and achievement than did observing the teacher model or not observing a model. Ss who observed the teacher model scored higher than no-model Ss on these measures. No significant differences due to type of peer modeled behavior (mastery/coping) were obtained on any measure. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Catecholamine secretion as a function of perceived coping self-efficacy.

Hypothesized that perceived coping self-efficacy mediates the effects of environmental events on catecholamine secretion. Differential levels of perceived self-efficacy were induced in 12 female phobic Ss, aged 19–40 yrs, through modeling. Their level of catecholamine secretion was then measured as they were presented with coping tasks in their high, medium, and low ranges of perceived self-efficacy. High perceived self-efficacy was accompanied by low levels of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine during interaction with a phobic object, whereas moderate perceived self-inefficacy gave rise to substantial increases in plasma catecholamines. Both catecholamines dropped sharply when Ss declined tasks for which they judged themselves completely inefficacious. In contrast, dihydroxyphenyl-acetic acid was released maximally by mere apperception of task demands that Ss regarded as overwhelming their coping capabilities. After perceived self-efficacy was strengthened to the maximal level by S modeling, all of the tasks were performed without any differential catecholamine responses. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-blame, self-efficacy, and adjustment to abortion.

The causal impact of attributions and coping self-efficacy on adjustment to abortion was examined. 283 women were randomly assigned prior to their abortion to 1 of 3 counseling interventions: 1 designed to alter attributions for unwanted pregnancy (ATT-INT), 1 designed to raise coping expectations (EXP-INT), or a control (standard counseling) group. Depression, mood, anticipated consequences, and physical complaints were assessed postabortion. Ss in the ATT-INT or EXP-INT group were better adjusted immediately postabortion than women in the control group. The EXP-INT group was also less depressed than the ATT-INT group. Three individual difference factors were also related to better adjustment: high coping self-efficacy, low self-character blame, and low other-blame. Self-efficacy also predicted adjustment 3 wks postabortion. Implications for theories of adjustment to major life events, therapeutic interventions to assist coping with such events, and public policy on abortion are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between self-efficacy, attributions, and weight loss in a weight rehabilitation program.

Assessed the relationship between self-efficacy, attributions, and weight loss in the context of a weight rehabilitation program. Pretreatment, posttreatment, and followup assessments of self-efficacy, weight loss, and success–failure attributions were obtained from 38 volunteer overweight women (aged 21–65 yrs) participating in the program. Self-efficacy was significantly enhanced as a result of treatment, although it was not significantly related to weight loss during treatment. However, changes in efficacy expectations during follow-up did coincide with weight change during those intervals. In addition, efficacy expectations alone at treatment termination were found to be a significant predictor of weight loss following a 6-wk and 6-mo follow-up. Success–failure attributions contributed significantly to the prediction of efficacy expectations during treatment and during the 6-wk follow-up. Weight loss during treatment was not a significant determinant of treatment-induced self-efficacy enhancement. Results are interpreted in light of the reciprocal interaction between actual behavior change and cognitive factors in the context of a rehabilitation program. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The mediating role of coping: A cross-sectional analysis of the relationship between coping self-efficacy and coping effectiveness among athletes.

This study examines the relationship among global coping self-efficacy, coping, and coping effectiveness within athletes. We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between coping self-efficacy and coping effectiveness, which would be mediated by coping. It was also predicted that coping strategies within the task-oriented coping dimension would be positively associated with coping effectiveness, whereas strategies from the disengagement- and distraction-oriented coping dimensions would be negatively associated with coping effectiveness. Participants were 353 athletes between the ages of 18 and 29 years, who completed a measure of coping self-efficacy the night before they competed, in addition to a measure of the athletes' use of coping strategies and their perceived coping effectiveness, which was completed immediately after the competitive event. Results revealed that higher global coping self-efficacy scores were significantly (r = .33, p     

The role of planning and self-efficacy in condom use among men who have sex with men: An application of the Health Action Process Approach model.

Objective: In Hong Kong, men who have sex with men (MSM) remain a high risk group for HIV infection. This study applied the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) to study the motivational and behavioral patterns of local MSM in condom use. Design: Four hundred ten sexually active MSM completed the questionnaire on site at Time 1; 217 who remained sexually active were interviewed during a 1-month follow-up. Main Outcome Measures: Risk perception, outcome expectancy, action self-efficacy, intention, planning, maintenance self-efficacy, and recovery self-efficacy were measured at Time 1. Actual condom use was measured at both time points. Results: The HAPA model had a good fit to the data (χ2 = 300.71, df = 111, p     

Perceived self-efficacy domains as predictors of fear of the unknown and fear of dying among older adults.

Using a sample of 167 women and 121 men, aged 65-87, this study tested the hypothesis that self-efficacy beliefs of older persons are significantly stronger predictors of death fears than are demographics, social support, and physical health variables used in earlier predictor models. Standard self-report measures were used to assess all predictor variables, including perceived self-efficacy in 8 different domains. Findings from a series of hierarchical regression analyses that were conducted separately for men and women supported the hypothesis concerning the superiority of self-efficacy variables as predictors of fear of the unknown after death and fear of dying, with spiritual health efficacy and instrumental efficacy being the most potent predictors of death fears for women and men. respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predictors of intention to reduce stroke risk among people at risk of stroke: An application of an extended health belief model.

Purpose: To examine predictors of intention to reduce stroke risk in a sample of at risk individuals through the application of an expanded Health Belief Model. Research Method: Predictors included stroke knowledge, demographic variables, beliefs about stroke, and measures of subjective norm and self-efficacy. The dependent variable was intention to reduce stroke risk. Of the 276 surveys distributed to bowling clubs, senior citizens clubs or retirement villages, 101 surveys were returned. Data from 76 of these respondents were used for analysis. Results: With regard to exercise intention, a pattern of significant correlations between HBM variables, subjective norm, and self-efficacy was observed. Results of multiple hierarchical regression analyses showed that perceived benefits of undertaking exercise and self-efficacy in relation exercise were the two most important determinants of exercise intentions. Conclusions: Findings suggest that health beliefs may play an important role in stroke prevention. Practice Implications: Stroke education and prevention programs that selectively target beliefs about the perceived benefits of, and self-efficacy related to, exercise to reduce stroke risk may prove most efficacious. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Academic self-efficacy and first year college student performance and adjustment.

A longitudinal study of 1st-year university student adjustment examined the effects of academic self-efficacy and optimism on students' academic performance, stress, health, and commitment to remain in school. Predictor variables (high school grade-point average, academic self-efficacy, and optimism) and moderator variables (academic expectations and self-perceived coping ability) were measured at the end of the first academic quarter and were related to classroom performance, personal adjustment, stress, and health, measured at the end of the school year. Academic self-efficacy and optimism were strongly related to performance and adjustment, both directly on academic performance and indirectly through expectations and coping perceptions (challenge-threat evaluations) on classroom performance, stress, health, and overall satisfaction and commitment to remain in school. Observed relationships corresponded closely to the hypothesized model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Collective efficacy versus self-efficacy in coping responses to stressors and control: A cross-cultural study.

This study examined how cultural differences and efficacy perceptions influence the role of job control in coping with job demands. Perceiving higher control mitigated the effects of demands on psychological health symptoms and turnover intentions only among American bank tellers reporting high job self-efficacy. Among American tellers reporting low job self-efficacy, perceived control exacerbated the effects of demands. However, in a matched Hong Kong sample, collective efficacy interacted in the same way with control and demands as job self-efficacy had in the American sample. These differences appear to be explained by the individual attributes of idiocentrism and allocentrism that are linked to the societal norms of individualism and collectivism, respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in self-efficacy resulting from unaided attempts to quit smoking.

Investigated changes in smoking self-efficacy as a result of successful and unsuccessful quit attempts. The sample consisted of 182 smokers (aged 19–70 yrs) who planned to quit smoking without professional assistance. Prior to a self-selected quit date, smoking self-efficacy was assessed. Quit status was determined 1, 6, and 12 mo after the quit date. Self-efficacy was reassessed at the 12-mo follow-up. At 12 mo the sample consisted of 44 quitters, 24 continuous smokers, 102 relapsers, and 12 Ss whose smoking status was uncertain. Self-reports of cessation were corroborated by collateral report and confirmed by saliva cotinine analysis. As predicted, quitters increased their self-efficacy, and continuous smokers decreased their self-efficacy from the prequit baseline to the 12-mo follow-up. Relapsers' self-efficacy also dropped significantly. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)