This study tested moderators of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) based on geographical region, gender, race, and income among adolescents in an exercise context using multigroup path analyses. Participants were eighth- and ninth-grade students from Louisiana (LA; N = 448, Mage = 14.37 years) and Pennsylvania (PA; N = 681, Mage = 14.28 years). They completed measures of intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and exercise behavior. Based on two path analyses, geographical region was a significant moderator (p < .001); therefore, the moderating effects of gender, race, and income were analyzed separately for each state. Gender was a significant moderator for LA (p < .001) but not for PA (p = .90). Race and income did not moderate the TPB relationships within each state. Findings support the moderating effect of geographical region on the TPB construct relationships and indicate that gender moderates the TPB construct relationships in LA youth.
AlleyT. R.HicksC. M. (2005). Peer attitudes towards adolescent participants in male- and female-oriented sports. Adolescence, 40, 273-280.
4.
BaranowksiT.AndersonC.CarmackC. (1998). Mediating variable framework in physical activity interventions. How are we doing? How might we do better?American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 15, 266-297.
5.
ByrneB. M. (1998). Structural equation modeling with LISREL, PRELIS, and SIMPLIS: Basic concepts, applications, and programming. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
6.
FishbeinM.AjzenI. (2010). Predicting and changing behavior: The reasoned action approach. New York, NY: Psychology Press.
7.
FrazierP. A.TixA. P.BarronK. E. (2004). Testing moderator and mediator effects in counseling psychology research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 51, 115-134.
8.
GodinG.ShephardR. J. (1985). A simple method to assess exercise behavior in the community. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Science, 10, 141-146.
9.
GodinG.ShephardR. J. (1986). Psychosocial factors influencing intentions to exercise of young students from grades 7 to 9. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 57, 41-52.
10.
HaggerM. S.ChatzisarantisN. L. D.BarkoukisV.WangJ. C. K.HeinV.PihuM.. . . KarsaiI. (2007). Cross-cultural generalizability of the theory of planned behavior among young people in a physical activity context. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29, 1-20.
11.
MarcusB. H.ForsythL. H. (2009). Motivating people to be physically active (2nd ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
12.
MotlR. W.DishmanR. K.WardD. S.SaundersR. P.DowdaM.FeltonG.PateR. R. (2002). Examining social-cognitive determinants of intention and physical activity among black and white adolescent girls using structural equation modeling. Health Psychology, 21, 459-467.
13.
National Association for Sport and Physical Education. (2004). Physical activity for children: A statement of guidelines (2nd ed.). Reston, VA: Author.
OgdenC. L.CarrollM. D.CurtinL. R.LambM. M.FlegalK. M. (2010). Prevalence of high body mass index in U.S. children and adolescents, 2007-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association, 303, 242-249.
16.
ReisJ. P.BowlesH. R.AinsworthB. E.DuboseK. D.SmithS.LaditkaJ. N. (2004). Nonoccupational physical activity by degree of urbanization and U.S. Geographic region. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36, 2093-2098.
17.
RhodesR. E.MacdonaldH. M.McKayH. A. (2006). Predicting physical activity intention and behaviour among children in a longitudinal sample. Social Science & Medicine, 62, 3146-3156.
18.
RiceT. W.CoatesD. L. (1995). Gender role attitudes in the southern United States. Gender & Society, 9, 744-756.
19.
SaundersR. P.MotlR. W.DowdaM.DishmanR. K.PateR. R. (2004). Comparison of social variables for understanding physical activity in adolescent girls. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28, 426-436.
20.
SinghG. L.KoganM. D.van DyckP. (2008). A multilevel analysis of state and regional disparities in childhood and adolescent obesity in the United States. Journal of Community Health, 33, 90-102.
21.
Symons DownsD.GrahamG. H.YangS.BargainnierS.VasilJ. (2006). Youth exercise intention and past exercise behavior: Examining the moderating influences of sex and meeting exercise recommendations. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 77, 91-99.
22.
Symons DownsD.HausenblasH. A. (2005). Applying the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior to exercise: A meta-analytic update. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 2, 76-97.
23.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2008). Physical activity guidelines advisory committee report (Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee). Washington, DC: Author.
