Depressive symptoms, perceived stress, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations: Predict fitness among adolescents with obesity. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tulloch, Heather; Heenan, Adam; Sweet, Shane; Goldfield, Gary S; Kenny, Glen P; Alberga, Angela S; Sigal, Ronald J
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 25:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 798
• Page End: 809
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: adolescents -- aerobic fitness -- depressive symptoms -- obesity -- social cognitive theory; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105317734039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to test if outcome expectancy mediated the relationship between fitness and self-efficacy, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms.Adolescents with obesity ( n = 228) completed measures of perceived stress and depressive symptoms at baseline, self-efficacy and outcome expectancy at baseline and 3 months, and fitness at baseline and 6 months. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Results showed that self-efficacy was positively associated with fitness via outcome expectancies. For females, fewer depressive symptoms were linked to fitness via self-efficacy and outcome expectancies. Exercise interventions that enhance exercise self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and reduce depressive symptoms may increase fitness.