Transtheoretical Model: examining adolescent exercise behavior.

PURPOSE

The entire Transtheoretical Model, consisting of stages of change, processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance, was tested for its applicability to understanding exercise behavior in an adolescent population.

METHODS

Students (n = 819) from five community high schools (Grades 9-12) completed self-administered questionnaires, all of which were adapted from previous literature. Stage of exercise behavior change served as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

Distribution of the sample across the stages was: precontemplation, n = 17 (2.1%); contemplation, n = 34 (4.2%); preparation, n = 235 (28.7%); action, n = 129 (15.7%); and maintenance, n = 404 (49.3%). Univariate analyses of variance (p < 0.0038) followed up with Tukey's post-hoc analyses revealed that all of the constructs differed significantly across stages. Profile analysis indicated that pros and cons intersected in the action stage using t scores; however, when analyzing raw scores, this intersection was found to be in the precontemplation stage.

DISCUSSION

Preliminary evidence was found for the applicability of the Transtheoretical Model to adolescents. The low rate of adolescents in the precontemplation and contemplation stages was not deemed a major limitation, owing to the purpose of the investigation.