The contribution of self-efficacy and outcome expectations towards the prediction of exercise adherence

Abstract

ENGLISH SUMMARY: This study examined the capacity of Bandura's (1977) self-efficacy theory to predict exercise adherence. A selected group of fitness club members was assessed on the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale, an Adherence Efficacy Scale and an Outcome Expectancy Scale, of which the last two both have been designed specifically for this study. The dependent variable, exercise adherence, was assessed by monitoring the frequency of visits to the gymnasium. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that physical self-efficacy was the only significant predictor of exercise adherence. The results however differed for the gender groups. Whereas physical self-efficacy was the only significant predictor for female participants, male participants' adherence was predicted by adherence efficacy. These results partly confirm the self-efficacy theory of Bandura (1977). It also underlines the importance of assessing different dimensions of self-efficacy in adherence research.

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie was 'n ondersoek na die vermoe van Bandura (1977) se selfeffektiwiteitsteorie om oefenvolharding te voorspel. 'n Geselekteerde groep van gimnasiumlede is gemeet op die Physical Self-Efficacy skaal, 'n Adherence Efficacy skaal en 'n Outcome Expectancy skaal. Die laaste twee is spesifiek vir die doel van hierdie studie ontwikkel. Die afhanklike veranderlike, oefenvolharding, is gemeet deur die frekwensie van besoeke aan die gimnasium te monitor. Stapsgewyse meervoudige regressieontleding is uitgevoer om die hipoteses te toets. Die resultate het aangedui dat fisieke self-effektiwiteit die enigste beduidende voorspeller van oefenvolhard ing geslagsgroepe. was. Die resultate het egter verskil tussen die Waar fisieke self-effektiwiteit die enigste beduidende voorspeller vir vroulike deelnemers was, is mans se oefenvolharding voorspel deur volhardingseffektiwiteit. Hierdie resultate ondersteun die selfeffektiwiteitsteorie van Bandura (1977) gedeeltelik. Dit beklemtoon ook die belangrikheid om, betreffende navorsing oor oefenvolharding, die verskillende dimensies van self-effektiwiteit te bepaal.