Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Kathryn L. Dardeck

Abstract

Women ages 20–39 years old have seen the most dramatic increase in obesity levels in the United States over the last 2 decades. Researchers have indicated the need for studies to increase motivation in women to promote daily exercise. There is a gap in the literature about what motivational factors are most effective with increasing exercise in daily life. Using the transtheoretical model of change (TM) as the grounding theory, this study measured daily exercise adherence. A selective sampling of women ages 20–39 years old in the United States were recruited to complete an online survey. The online survey included two sections: one to screen participants with informed consent, and the survey itself, including 4 original questions to obtain further information about type of exercise, access to social support, readiness for change, and exercise adherence. A full version of the Exercise Motivations Inventory–2 (EMI-2) was also administered to determine exercise motivation. In total, 105 women were surveyed in the full study and multiple regression was used to assess the findings. Results of the study confirm prior research findings that women engage in exercise due to positive health, ill-health avoidance, and to control weight. In addition, women in the present study indicated positive social support affects daily exercise adherence. The results of this study may contribute to positive social change by furthering our understanding of what contributes to exercise adherence in the United States.

Download

Share

 
COinS