Development of the stages of change and self-efficacy scales for walking behavior.

internet based cross-sectional study among 30-49years Japanese adults

Abstract

Objective: In applying transtheoretical model to physical activity, it is important to measure stages of change and self-efficacy accurately. However, no studies have developed the scales assessing stages of change and self-efficacy for walking behavior, which is one of the most popular physical activities. In the present study, we aimed to examine the validity and reliability on the scales assessing stages of change and self-efficacy for walking behavior.
Methods: The participants were 4,935 Japanese adults (30-49 years) collected from the registrants of Japanese social research company. The study design was cross-sectional study using an internet questionnaire. Measured variables included the stages of change for walking behavior, self-efficacy for walking behavior, and time spent in walking behavior. In both scales, criteria validity was evaluated by the associations with times spent in walking behavior, and 1-month test-retest reliability was examined. Construct validity and internal consistency were also identified in the self-efficacy scale.
Results: In stages of change, Kappa Index (κ) with 1 month was 0.43. ANOVA revealed that higher stages of change for walking behavior were associated with longer time spent in walking behavior (F=146.1, p<0.001). Self-efficacy was significantly correlated with time spent in walking behavior and has shown 1-month good test-retest reliability. The excellent goodness of-fit indices were obtained by the confirmatory factor analysis.
Conclusion: This study provides the evidences of validity and reliability on the scales assessing stages of change and self-efficacy for walking behavior. It seems that the usage of these scales contributes to supply specific intervention programs complied with a motivational readiness for the walking behavior.