Affective Response to Exercise and Affective Judgments as Predictors of Physical Activity Intention and Behavior among New Mothers in their first 6-Months Postpartum. Issue 4 (6th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rhodes, Ryan E; Blanchard, Chris M; Hartson, Kimberly R; Symons Downs, Danielle; Warburton, Darren E R; Beauchamp, Mark R
• Is Part Of: Annals of behavioral medicine. Volume 57:Issue 4(2023)
• Page Start: 344
• Page End: 353
• Publication Date: 2023-02-06
• Subjects: Affect and health behavior framework -- Affective attitude -- Intention -- Parenthood; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; Sick -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Behavioral Medicine; 616.0019
• DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaac067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-6612

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Understanding the predictors of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during early postpartum is important to improve promotion efforts. Affect-related constructs are key predictors of MVPA but have limited research in mothers during the postpartum period. Purpose: To examine two affect-related constructs (affective response to exercise and affective judgments) as predictors of MVPA intention and behavior across three months, among a sample of new mothers. Methods: Participants were 105 mothers ( M age = 30.64 years; SD = 3.93) who completed measures during postpartum at 2-months post-birth of their first child. The affective response to exercise (assessed at baseline [2-months postpartum] during a submaximal treadmill test), affective judgments and intention (baseline, 6-weeks after baseline), and MVPA (baseline, 6- and 12-weeks after baseline) were assessed via self-report. Results: Path analysis, using ordinary least squares regression, showed that the affective response during exercise was a significant predictor of intention (baseline, 6-weeks), as well as change in intention from baseline to 6-weeks. By contrast, affective judgments predicted intention at 6-weeks, but not at baseline or in the change model. Past MVPA did not moderate these findings, although the affective response during exercise also had a significant indirect effect on MVPA through intention at 6-weeks and 12-weeks. Conclusions: Interventions targeting women's affective response during exercise may be important during postpartum, perhaps through self-paced physical activity guidance. Affective judgments may not be predictive of MVPA, in part due to unanticipated changes during early postpartum leading to inaccurate expectations of the physical activity experience. Abstract : How a bout of exercise feels during performance is a better predictor of future physical activity intention and behavior than expectations of enjoyment among first-time mothers in their first eight months postpartum. Lay Summary: Understanding the predictors of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during early postpartum is important to improve promotion efforts. Affect-related constructs are key predictors of MVPA but have limited research in mothers during the postpartum period. The purpose of this study was examine two affect-related constructs (affective response to exercise and affective judgments) as predictors of MVPA intention and behavior across three months, among a sample of new mothers. Participants were 105 mothers who completed measures of affective response to exercise (assessed at 2 months postpartum during a sub-maximal treadmill test), affective judgments and intention (2 months postpartum, and 6-weeks after), and MVPA (2 months postpartum, 6- and 12-weeks after). The affective response during exercise was a significant predictor of intention as well as change in intention over time. By contrast, affective judgments was a less reliable predictor across the study. Interventions targeting women's affective response during exercise may be important during postpartum, perhaps through self-paced physical activity guidance. Affective judgments may not be predictive of MVPA, in part due to unanticipated changes during early postpartum leading to inaccurate expectations of the physical activity experience.