University of Rhode Island DigitalCommons@URI Open Access Master's Theses 2006 Application of Transtheoretical Model to Exercise in Slovak Population: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Gabriela Dye University of Rhode Island Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses Recommended Citation Dye, Gabriela, "Application of Transtheoretical Model to Exercise in Slovak Population: A Cross-Cultural Comparison" (2006). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 1696. https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/1696 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@URI. It has been accepted for inclusion in Open Access Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@URI. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 3;"-ti?;_( :, ~8 I_,1--li I e,CLr APPLICATION OF TRANSTHEORETICAL MODEL TO EXERCISE IN SLOVAK POPULATION: A CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON BY GABRIELA DYE A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 2006 Abstract The current study validated the translation of TTM measures for physical activity in a Slovakian sample, and compared the TTM constructs to an existing lJ.S. sample. A majority of the Slovak and the U.S. participants were in Precontemplation , Contemplation , and Preparation Stages. The distribution of Slovaks across Contemplation and Preparation Stages was significantly different compared to the U.S. distribution. The distribution of Slovaks and the U.S. participants across Precontemplation and Action/Maintenance Stages was _ the same. The basic structure of the translated TTM measures (Stages of change, Decisional Balance, and Situational Self-efficacy) held for the Slovak sample and replicated the existing structure of the TTM constructs. The measurement models were invariant across the USA and Slovak samples. The relationship between the Stages, the Pros and Cons scales, Self-efficacy, and Family Support replicated the pattern observed across multiple samples and behaviors . The Cons of exercising exceeded the Pros in Precontemplation and Contemplation Stages, while the Pros exceeded the Cons of exercising in Action/Maintenance. Self-efficacy increased across stages in a non-linear pattern . Family support increased linerly across stages. Relationship between physical activity and the Stages of change also replicated the pattern previously observed for exercise. Strenuous and moderate physical activities differentiated between the Stages in both samples in that individuals in pre-Action Stages engaged significantly less in moderate and strenuous physical activities. The amount of strenuous and moderate physical activity increased from Precontemplation to Action/Maintenance with a small increase from Contemplation to Preparation followed by large increases from Preparation to Action/Maintenance. Slovak sample was assessed on activities of daily living using IPAQ. The results indicated that individuals in early Stages engage significantly more in activities of daily living compared to individuals in later Stages, while individuals in later Stages engage more in structured types of activities. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to my major professor Wayne Velicer, and to my thesis committee members Colleen Redding, Bryan Blissmer , and Deborah Riebe for all their time, support, and advice. I would like to extend my special gratitude to my family and friends who helped with survey distribution and data collection in Slovakia . Their contribution is by no means a small one. Without their help and support, I would not be able to complete this work. Finally, I would also like to thank my husband who provides ongoing emotional encouragement and support. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract. ............................................................................ _... ................... ii Acknowledgments ................................................................................. iii Table of Contents .................................................................................. iv List of Tables .................. ........................................... .-........................... vi List of Figures ....................... _.. ............................................................ vii Chapter 1: Study Overview ............................................... ................... 1 Study Introduction .......................... ................................................... 1 Physical Activity .............. ......................................... ............................... 2 Prevalence Rates .............................................................................. 2 Physical Activity and Health Benefits ................................................ 5 Physical Inactivity as a Risk Factor .................................................. 6 Physical Activity and Adherence ................................. ...................... 8 Transtheoretical Model (TTM) ............................................................. 1O Brief Overview ............ ........................................ ............................. 10 Stages of Change ................................................................ ........... 11 Decisional Balance ......................................................................... 12 Self-Efficacy ....................................................... ............................. 13 Stages of Change and Exercise ................................... .................. 13 TTM Constructs and Exercise ............................................. ........... 16 Cross-Cultural Comparison Overview .................................................. 18 Slovakia .......................................................................................... 18 Health and Exercise Disparities and Commonalities across Cultures .................................................................. ............. 19 Environmental Diversity and Walking Behaviors ........................... 20 Walking and Health ......................................................................... 23 Hypotheses ....................................................................... .................... 25 Description of Measures .............................................. ......................... 28 Chapter Contents: An Overview .................................. ....................... .. 35 lV References ........................................................................................... 37 Chapter 2: Validation and Reliability of the Decisional Balance, Self-efficacy, Family Support and Godin Exercise Measures in a Sample of Parents ...........................................................................46 Introduction ..................................................................................... 46 Method ............................................................................................ 51 Results .........................................................•.................................. 55 Discussion ....................................................................................... 60 References ...................................................................................... 63 Chapter 3: Validation and Reliability of the Decisional Balance, Self-efficacy, Family Support, and Exercise Behavior Measures in a Slovak Sample ................................................................................ 79 Introduction ..................................................................................... 79 Method ............................................................................................ 88 Results ............................................................................................ 94 Discussion ....................................................................................... 99 References .................................................................................... 104 Chapter 4: Cross-Cultural Invariance of the Decisional Balance, Situational Self-efficacy, Family Support, and Godin Exercise Measures ........................................................................................... 124 Introduction ................................................................................... 124 Method .......................................................................................... 132 Results .......................................................................................... 139 Discussion ..................................................................................... 144 References .................................................................................... 150 Appendices ......................................................................................... 165 Bibliography ........................................................................................ 195 V LIST OF TABLES Table Page Table 2.1. Demographic Characteristics of the U.S. Sample ............... 68 Table 2.2. Decisional Balance, Self-efficacy, Family Influences, and Godin across Stages: Means, Standard Deviations, and T-scores ...................................................................... 70 Table 3.1. Participant Characteristics ................................................. 110 Table 3.2. Total Walking, Vigorous, and Moderate Physical Activities Pertaining to Job, Gardening, Transportation, and Leisure-Time . ...........................................................