Relationship between the intention–behavior gap and self-efficacy for physical activity during childhood

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship of a gap between the intent to be physically active and actual participation in physical activity ('intention-behavior gap') and self-efficacy for physical activity during childhood. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect information from 946 children from the fourth and sixth grades in Japan on self-efficacy, intention, and physical activity. Children with an intention-behavior gap (high intent-low activity or low intent-high activity) had higher self-efficacy scores than those with low intent and low activity (27.66 or 27.65 vs. 21.69; p < .001). They had lower self-efficacy scores than those with high intent and high activity (27.66 or 27.65 vs. 30.56; p < .001). Children with an intention-behavior gap had lower self-efficacy for physical activity than those who intended to be and were physically active. Such children may benefit from education interventions that focus on improving self-efficacy.

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“…Bandura ( 34 ) stated that among all determinants, confidence in self-efficacy plays an important role in personal change because it is needed to overcome obstacles faced in changing behaviors and becomes the foundation for self-motivation and action. This study is also in-line with a study of Isa et al ( 35 ) that found inverse relation between self-efficacy scores to intent-behavior gap. They found in children with intention-behavior gap, they tend to have lower self-efficacy ( 35 ).…”

“…This study is also in-line with a study of Isa et al ( 35 ) that found inverse relation between self-efficacy scores to intent-behavior gap. They found in children with intention-behavior gap, they tend to have lower self-efficacy ( 35 ). Beeckman et al ( 14 ) also found that self-efficacy were related to adherence to physical distancing as the behavior measured in the study, along with outcome expectancies, having intents and planning.…”

Role of Perception, Health Beliefs, and Health Knowledge in Intentions to Receive Health Checkups among Young Adults in Korea

“…Hence, improving self-efficacy would be a good strategy to increase health checkups in young adults. Although it was conducted on children, a study reported that those with an intention–behavior gap with health behaviors having lower self-efficacy than those with high intentions, high behaviors, and high self-efficacy than those with low intentions and low behaviors [ 28 ]. In other words, self-efficacy is likely to reduce the intention–behavior gap.…”

The relationship between exercise intention and behavior of Chinese college students: A moderated mediation model

“…As the classical social cognitive theory suggests, exercise intention is the most direct and important predictor of individual exercise behavior ( Blue, 1995 ), but the explanatory power of the former for the latter is weak in the volitional phase. Currently, it has been demonstrated that aspects such as executive function ( Frye and Shapiro, 2021 ), self-efficacy ( Isa et al, 2019 ; Divine et al, 2021 ), planning ( Lange et al, 2018 ), and action control ( Monge-Rojas et al, 2021 ) can provide some additional insights. However, while these studies mostly emphasized the importance of conscious regulatory processes, they neglected the implicit effects generated by automatic associations.…”