Impact of a brief intervention on physical activity and social cognitive determinants among working mothers: a randomized trial

Abstract

Working mothers exhibit high levels of inactivity, and theory-based interventions to bolster physical activity within this population are needed. This study examined the effectiveness of a brief social cognitive theory-based intervention designed to increase physical activity among working mothers. Participants (N=141) were randomly assigned to an intervention only, intervention plus follow-up support, or waitlist control condition. The intervention consisted of two group-based workshop sessions designed to teach behavior modification strategies using social cognitive theory. Data were collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. Results showed intervention participants exhibited short-term increases in physical activity, which were partially maintained six months later. Improvements in physical activity were mediated by increases in self-regulation and self-efficacy. This study provides some support for the effectiveness of a brief intervention to increase physical activity among working mothers. Future programs should explore alternative support mechanisms which may lead to more effective maintenance of initial behavior changes.

Physical Activity Intervention Effects on Perceived Stress in Working Mothers: The Role of Self-Efficacy

“…The present study reports a secondary analysis of an intervention whose primary outcomes have been previously published (Mailey and McAuley, 2013). Because stress is a critical health outcome among working mothers, the extent to which a brief social cognitive theory-based physical activity intervention could elicit reductions in stress was an important question to be addressed.…”

“…All participants received a pedometer, a written social cognitive theory-based handbook, and a 1-hour individual session with a personal trainer. For a detailed description of the intervention content, see Mailey and McAuley (2013).…”

“…The effects of the intervention on physical activity and social cognitive determinants have been reported elsewhere (Table 2) (Mailey & McAuley, 2013). Briefly, intervention participants exhibited a significantly larger increase in self-reported physical activity than control participants immediately following the brief intervention.…”

“…Full details of the sample, including a CONSORT diagram, have been reported previously (Mailey and McAuley, 2013). Of the 224 individuals who initially expressed interest in the study, 194 were screened for eligibility and 156 (80.4%) met all inclusion criteria.…”

“…As declining levels of physical activity across the transition into motherhood have emerged as a legitimate public health concern, several interventions designed specifically for women with children have been developed (Cody and Lee, 1999;Cramp and Brawley, 2006;Fahrenwald et al, 2004;Fjeldsoe et al, 2010). Most recently, a brief, social cognitive theorybased intervention to increase physical activity among working mothers demonstrated positive effects on self-reported physical activity (Mailey and McAuley, 2013). Five months after completion of the brief intervention, increases in physical activity were sustained and shown to be mediated by changes in self-efficacy and self-regulation.…”