Applying Stage-Based Theory to engage female students in university sport

Purpose: University sport is recognized by many as a key area of university business and one of increasing importance, as seen by universities prioritizing sport within their university strategic plans as well as national funding bodies investing in university sport. Whilst sport is rising on the agenda, engaging all students in sport is a key challenge for universities. This paper examines the factors that enable and inhibit female students’ participation in university sport and active recreation using an interpretivist qualitative design. The paper also identified specific behaviour change techniques that could be used within interventions to increase participation rates. Method: Six focus groups were carried out. Data were analysed verbatim using a constant comparative process of analysis. Results: Findings revealed several emergent themes to help inform theory-based interventions to engage more female students in sport. Conclusion: University sport is an important behaviour for students to undertake. The paper identified a number of avenues for universities to pursue in order to achieve this aim

Applying the Reasoned Action Approach and Planning to Understand Diabetes Self-Management Behaviors

Individuals managing diabetes are required to adhere to self-management behaviors to ensure the optimal regulation of their blood glucose levels. This study examined the psychological determinants underlying three important diabetes self-management behaviors (e.g., physical activity, diet, and blood glucose monitoring) using the reasoned action approach (RAA) and planning. A cross-sectional design was used, with participants (N = 273) completing measures of RAA constructs (e.g., experiential and instrumental attitude, descriptive and injunctive norm, and capacity and autonomy) and planning (e.g., action and control planning) at time 1 and participation in the behaviors one week later at time 2. Regressions showed that RAA constructs accounted for good variance in intention and behavior in all behaviors. Intention towards diet and blood glucose monitoring was significantly predicted by instrumental attitude, injunctive norm, and capacity. Intention towards physical activity was significantly predicted by instrumental attitude, experiential attitude, injunctive norm, capacity, and autonomy. All behaviors were significantly predicted by intention, action planning, and coping planning. Additionally, capacity significantly predicted physical activity and autonomy significantly predicted diet and blood glucose monitoring. Successfully intervening in the influential psychological constructs identified in the study could ensure optimal blood glucose regulation in those managing diabetes

How can implementation intentions be used to modify gambling behavior?

Problem gambling can cause significant harm, yet rates of gambling continue to increase. Many individuals have the motivation to stop gambling but are unable to transfer these positive intentions into successful behavior change. Implementation intentions, which are goal-directed plans linking cues to behavioral responses, can help bridge the gap between intention and many health behaviors. However, despite the strategy demonstrating popularity in the field of health psychology, its use in the area of gambling research has been limited. This mini review illustrates how implementation intentions can be used to facilitate change in gambling behavior. Adopting the strategy could help reduce the number of people with gambling problems

The development of a reliable theory-based psychological instrument to measure cognitions relating to participation in university recreational sport

Background: It is important that theoretically informed questionnaires developed using guidelines outlined within the Theory of Planned Behaviour demonstrate reliability. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the reliability of direct and indirect items examining perceptions towards recreational sports participation by university students. Method: A convenience sample of 28 participants undertaking various degree programmes was used (age M = 18.89, SD = 0.62, female n = 18, male n = 10). Participants completed a theory-based questionnaire at time 1 and two weeks later at time 2. Internal consistency between direct items and correlations between indirect items was conducted. Results: Results showed all constructs measured through direct items had Cronbach’s alphas over 0.8 and all indirect items measuring beliefs were significantly correlated (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the reliability of a questionnaire to be used for a future study aimed at identifying specific belief-based intervention targets. The result of such work provides the foundations for interventions promoting participation in recreational university student sport, an expanding yet under-researched population of study. Key words: THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR, QUESTIONNAIRE RELIABILITY, SPORTS PARTICIPATION, COGNITIONS

The Key Psychological Beliefs Underlying Student Participation in Recreational Sport

The first year of university study provides an ideal opportunity to target student participation in many health behaviors, such as recreational sport. The study used the Theory of Planned Behavior to identify the key behavioral, normative and control beliefs underlying student participation in recreational sport. A cross-sectional design was used with a four-week follow-up. A purposive sample of 206 participants responded to a theoretically informed questionnaire measuring baseline cognitions. Follow-up behavior was measured using self-report questionnaires. All beliefs correlated with intention and seven beliefs correlated with behavior. Four key beliefs predicted intention (“Enjoyable”; “Time consuming”; “Friends”; and “Family members”) and two key beliefs predicted behavior (“Enjoyable” and “Time consuming”). Interventions successfully targeting these specific beliefs may lead to a greater number of students participating in recreational sport

Promoting physical activity through text messages:the impact of attitude and goal priority messages

INTRODUCTION: Many young adults demonstrate insufficient rates of physical activity (PA) to yield health benefits. The study tested the effectiveness of a text messaging intervention targeting key psychological determinants and PA. METHODS: Participants received either attitude messages, goal priority messages, a combination of these, or generic PA information (control). After confirming that groups were matched at baseline, a 2 (attitude: yes vs. no) by 2 (goal priority: yes vs. no) by 2 (time: immediately post-intervention, four weeks post-intervention) randomized control trial tested main and interactive effects. RESULTS: Results showed participants that received attitude messages had significantly more positive attitudes, intentions and rates of PA. Mediational analyses showed the influence of attitude messages on PA to be fully mediated through the serial path via attitude and intention. There were no other main or interactive effects. CONCLUSION: The study provides support for using attitudinal messages delivered via text messaging to influence key psychological determinants and PA