Operationalization of the social cognitive theory to explain and predict physical activity in Germany: a scale development

IntroductionSocial cognitive theory is one of the most prominent psychological theories regarding human behavior. Previous research tested and confirmed parts of the theory concerning the explanatory and predictive value of the theory, both in specific populations and in selected domains of physical...

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Main Authors: Viktoria S. Egele, Robin Stark
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1508602/full
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author Viktoria S. Egele
Robin Stark
author_facet Viktoria S. Egele
Robin Stark
author_sort Viktoria S. Egele
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionSocial cognitive theory is one of the most prominent psychological theories regarding human behavior. Previous research tested and confirmed parts of the theory concerning the explanatory and predictive value of the theory, both in specific populations and in selected domains of physical activity. However, the value of this research is limited as researchers often use their own item sets rather than validated scales. Therefore, comparability of the studies is restricted and the quality of the individual findings can often not be conclusively assessed as psychometric properties of the measurement are unclear. The goal of this research was to develop a parsimonious, reliable, and valid questionnaire to assess the elements of SCT in the context of physical activity.MethodsIn total, 90 items were developed for the four factors of SCT, which were then examined by exploratory factor analysis and reduced to 18 items in total.ResultsCross-validation was successful. Internal consistency was good for the four subscales, test-retest reliability was satisfactory, as were indicators for convergent and divergent validity.DiscussionA short, reliable, and valid instrument was developed intended for use in the general adult population in Germany for research on theoretical assumptions and interventions based on social cognitive theory.
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spelling doaj-art-283d2996afef4909a5e6bea1ab17aaa02025-08-20T02:27:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672024-11-01610.3389/fspor.2024.15086021508602Operationalization of the social cognitive theory to explain and predict physical activity in Germany: a scale developmentViktoria S. EgeleRobin StarkIntroductionSocial cognitive theory is one of the most prominent psychological theories regarding human behavior. Previous research tested and confirmed parts of the theory concerning the explanatory and predictive value of the theory, both in specific populations and in selected domains of physical activity. However, the value of this research is limited as researchers often use their own item sets rather than validated scales. Therefore, comparability of the studies is restricted and the quality of the individual findings can often not be conclusively assessed as psychometric properties of the measurement are unclear. The goal of this research was to develop a parsimonious, reliable, and valid questionnaire to assess the elements of SCT in the context of physical activity.MethodsIn total, 90 items were developed for the four factors of SCT, which were then examined by exploratory factor analysis and reduced to 18 items in total.ResultsCross-validation was successful. Internal consistency was good for the four subscales, test-retest reliability was satisfactory, as were indicators for convergent and divergent validity.DiscussionA short, reliable, and valid instrument was developed intended for use in the general adult population in Germany for research on theoretical assumptions and interventions based on social cognitive theory.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1508602/fullscaleself-efficacymeasurementassessmentsocial cognitive theoryphysical activity
spellingShingle Viktoria S. Egele
Robin Stark
Operationalization of the social cognitive theory to explain and predict physical activity in Germany: a scale development
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
scale
self-efficacy
measurement
assessment
social cognitive theory
physical activity
title Operationalization of the social cognitive theory to explain and predict physical activity in Germany: a scale development
title_full Operationalization of the social cognitive theory to explain and predict physical activity in Germany: a scale development
title_fullStr Operationalization of the social cognitive theory to explain and predict physical activity in Germany: a scale development
title_full_unstemmed Operationalization of the social cognitive theory to explain and predict physical activity in Germany: a scale development
title_short Operationalization of the social cognitive theory to explain and predict physical activity in Germany: a scale development
title_sort operationalization of the social cognitive theory to explain and predict physical activity in germany a scale development
topic scale
self-efficacy
measurement
assessment
social cognitive theory
physical activity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1508602/full
work_keys_str_mv AT viktoriasegele operationalizationofthesocialcognitivetheorytoexplainandpredictphysicalactivityingermanyascaledevelopment
AT robinstark operationalizationofthesocialcognitivetheorytoexplainandpredictphysicalactivityingermanyascaledevelopment