Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
School
Psychology
Advisor
Michael B. Johnson
Abstract
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia in which the autonomic nervous system malfunctions. An effective treatment for POTS is exercise; however, many individuals with POTS are unable to complete a standardized exercise regimen. The purpose of this study was to improve the understanding of why individuals with POTS may or may not engage in the beneficial practice of exercise by exploring factors such as low exercise self-efficacy (ESE) and elevated fear-avoidance beliefs (FAB). The theoretical foundation that grounded this study was the social learning theory (SLT) and social cognitive theory (SCT). The research questions explored the relationship between ESE, FAB, and the number of days an individual with POTS exercises. A regression analysis and mediation analysis were conducted to explore this relationship. A statistically significant relationship was found between ESE, FAB, and exercise engagement, with no mediating effects. Three subscales of the Sources of Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity Scales (SSEPAS) were statistically significant, with FAB including negative affect, mastery experiences, and self-persuasion. The implications for positive social change include developing interventions to improve exercise adherence in individuals with POTS, enhance quality of life, and decrease disability rates.
Recommended Citation
Collins, Mary Bridget, "The Relationship Between Exercise Self-Efficacy, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs, and Exercise in Individual’s with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14839.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14839
