Stages of Change in Physical Exercise and Social Support: An Integrated Socio‐Psycho‐Economic Approach

Abstract

The present research attempts to integrate behavioral and social science theories (e.g., theory of reasoned action, social cognitive theory, transtheoretical model) in assessing the effect and sources of social support of persons in various stages of physical exercise. Using multinomial regression to analyze the data collected via interviews from a sample of over 1,500 working adults in Jamaica, strong statistical support was found for the role of social support in initiating and maintaining exercise. The importance of various providers depends on the individual's stage of behavioral change. Health workers, relatives, and friends are important during early stages; while friends and physical trainers are important during later stages. Other results, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Improving Stage of Change in an Employee Wellness Program

“…Our finding of increased percentages in the action or maintenance stages in this QI project using the social network Facebook was consistent with the literature that helping relationships (also called social support) are important in the preparation stages and for low-SES mothers (Chang et al, 2008;Gibbison & Johnson, 2012;Singer, 2006;SAMHSA, 1999). Our use of theory-based Facebook groups and messaging to improve readiness to participate in an employee wellness program reinforced a finding that Facebook communication promotes participant retention in wellness programs (Maher et al, 2014), although participation and retention are different.…”

“…Tailoring interventions requires effective communication strategies, and theory-based strategies are more effective than strategies not rooted in theory (Korda & Itani, 2013). Helping relationships (also called social support) from family, health care workers, and friends are especially important in the preparation stages when starting an exercise program (Gibbison & Johnson, 2012; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 1999). Organized social support can provide critical support for people in the preparation stage to advance to action (Singer, 2006).…”

Applying the Transtheoretical Model of Change to Legacy Planning Decisions

“…It is important to note that individuals may not necessarily proceed through each of the five stages in a linear fashion. In most cases, individuals will stagnate in one stage for an extended period of time or even revert to earlier stages in the process (Gibbison and Johnson 2012;Lamb and Joshi 2004).…”

“…Cognitive factors including consciousness raising are more prevalent during earlier stages, whereas behavioral processes such as helping relationships are present during both early and late-stage behaviors. For example, Gibbison and Johnson (2012) found social support, specifically from close friends, to be a critical factor in initiating (preparation stage) and maintaining (maintenance stage) exercise behaviors among adults.…”

The stages‐of‐change approach for prosocial behavior: Message tailoring to encourage blood donation

“…Therefore, changing behavior is better conceptualized as a process rather than an event (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982, 1986). More importantly, this approach demonstrates that people vary dramatically in their attitudes, beliefs, and intention across different stages of change (Bamberg, 2007; Cabral et al., 2004; Gibbison & Johnson, 2012; Glanz et al., 2008; Noar & Stee, 2012). In this respect, scholars have suggested that “persuasive messages and interventions could be uniquely targeted and tailored to the stage of readiness to change that behavior” (Noar & Stee, 2012, p. 210).…”