Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Sedentariness and Stress

Authors

Shana M. Walsh, Peru State College, School of EducationFollow
M. Renée Umstattd Meyer, Baylor University, Department of Public HealthFollow
Grant B. Morgan, Baylor University, Department of Educational PsychologyFollow
Rodney G. Bowden, Baylor University, Robbins College of Health and Human SciencesFollow
Eva Doyle, Baylor University, Department of Public HealthFollow
Paul M. Gordon, Baylor University, Department of Health, Human Performance, & RecreationFollow

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in the sedentary behavior (SB) of young and middle-aged U.S. adults. Relationships between SB over a six-week period were examined using socio-demographic characteristics, TPB constructs, and a stress variable.

Methods: Participants (n=45, mean age=31 years, 70% female, 83% White) completed surveys that included sociodemographic information, TPB constructs, and the Weekly Stress Inventory. Participants wore an activity monitor for six weeks and completed the stress inventory once weekly over the study period. A longitudinal model was estimated to determine the relationship between TPB constructs, socio-demographic characteristics, and stress level with SB across the six weeks.

Results: Activity monitors revealed participants were sedentary for approximately 11 waking hours per day (SD=1.4). Bivariate analyses indicated a small effect between subjective norms and SB. Model fit indices modestly supported TPB constructs in explaining SB (i.e., a 2.3% reduction in person-level error variance); and a modest relationship between greater stress and less SB (i.e., additional 1.4% reduction in person-level error variance).

Conclusions: Results cautiously support continued exploration of the TPB in SB research. Like most behaviors, the TPB alone may not fully explain SB. Future research should continue to explore theoretical determinants of SB, expand to include other theoretical models; and include diverse populations. More research is needed to understand the relationship between SB and stress. Practitioners are encouraged to consider both SB and stress in holistic efforts to improve the health of adults.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

Recommended Citation

Walsh, Shana M.; Umstattd Meyer, M. Renée; Morgan, Grant B.; Bowden, Rodney G.; Doyle, Eva; and Gordon, Paul M. (2018) "Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Sedentariness and Stress," Health Behavior Research: Vol. 1: No. 3. https://doi.org/10.4148/2572-1836.1022