Self-regulatory efficacy's role in the relationship between exercise identity and perceptions of and actual exercise behaviour. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Strachan, Shaelyn M.; Brawley, Lawrence R.; Spink, Kevin S.; Sweet, Shane N.; Perras, Mélanie G.M.
• Is Part Of: Psychology of sport and exercise. Volume 18(2015:May)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 59
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Exercise identity -- Identity theory -- Social cognitive theory -- Consistency -- Self-regulatory efficacy -- Self-perception; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; Psychology; Sports; Exercise; Societies, Medical; Sports -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; Exercice -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; 613.71019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2015.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1469-0292

Abstract

Abstract: Identity theory posits that when people endorse an identity they maintain or alter their behaviour in order to behave consistently with that identity. This assertion is supported in the exercise context where strength of exercise identity relates to exercise behaviour. Less is known about self-regulatory constructs that may aid individuals in behaving consistently with their exercise identity. Self-regulatory efficacy may mediate the relationship between exercise identity and exercise given the influence of this variable on exercise self-regulation; this relationship has not been examined. Exercise identity research has focused on the relationship between identity and behaviour; yet, identity theory recognizes perceptions of identity-behaviour consistency as theoretically important. Through influencing how identity-relevant information is processed, self-regulatory efficacy may also mediate the relationship between exercise identity and perceptions of identity-behaviour consistency. Objective: Identity and social cognitive theories were used to examine self-regulatory efficacy as a mediator between exercise identity and i) exercise behaviour and ii) perceptions of identity-behaviour consistency. Method/design: Undergraduate students (n = 311) were followed for 8 weeks. At baseline, participants completed demographic, exercise identity and exercise measures. After 4 weeks they reported their self-regulatory efficacy and after 8 weeks they reported their perceptions of identity-behaviour consistency and their exercise behaviour. Results: Consistent with theory, self-efficacy mediated the relationship between exercise identity and both outcomes. Conclusions: Findings extend the exercise identity literature by providing empirical support for self-regulatory efficacy as a mechanism through which exercise identity strength leads to exercise behaviour and the perception of behavioural consistency with exercise identity meanings. Highlights: Mechanisms of continued identity-consistent behaviour unclear. Self-regulatory efficacy (SRE) may facilitate identity-consistent behaviour. SRE may facilitate identity-perceptions of identity-behaviour consistency relation. Results show SRE mediates exercise identity-exercise behaviour relationship. Findings extend exercise identity literature by suggesting a mechanism.