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Abstract

Purpose.

To examine psychosocial concomitants of stages of change for muscular fitness-promoting behavior among college students in America and France.

Methods.

Participants were from Lyon 1 University (Claude Bernard), France (n = 171) and Oregon State University, United States (n = 231). The main variables of interest were nationality, gender, stage of change, cons, pros, and self-efficacy.

Results.

The majority of Americans reported being in action or maintenance, whereas the majority of French reported being in precontemplation or contemplation (66.2% vs. 56.8%, respectively, p < .001). The only theoretical variable that Americans (adjusted mean [M_adj.] = 9.2) and French (M_adj. = 7.7) differed on was perceived pros (p < .001). Nationality, self-efficacy, and pros were the most important stage-of-change concomitants. Stage-of-change classification accuracy was 47.9%.

Conclusion.

This study questions whether the transtheoretical model is fully generalizable when applied to this specific behavioral application using a mixed-culture sample.

Keywords

Physical Activity Resistance Training Self-Efficacy Transtheoretical Model Behavior Change Decisional Balance Stage of Change Prevention Research Manuscript format: research Research purpose: modeling/relationship testing,descriptive Study design: nonexperimental Outcome measure: behavioral,biometric,cognitive Setting: national Health focus: fitness/physical activity Strategy: N/A Target population age: young adults Target population circumstances (specify all that apply): geographic location,race/ethnicity

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Comparison of American and French College Students' Stage of Change for Muscular Fitness—Promoting Behaviors

Abstract

Purpose.

Methods.

Results.

Conclusion.

Keywords

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References