Comparison of behavioral belief structures in the physical activity domain

Abstract

Behavioral belief structures were evaluated in the physical activity domain along 4 dimensions: positive-negative, affective-instrumental, distal-proximal, and specific motive. Participants completed 19 behavioral belief items and a measure of intention. These behavioral beliefs were subsequently classified on each dimension by 2 independent judges. Results using structural equation modeling showed that positive-negative, affective-instrumental, and proximal-distal dimensions each improved fit over a single behavioral belief construct. Division by affective-instrumental and positive-negative yielded the best fit, compared to single dimensions, but no division resulted in adequate model fit. Indeed, fit continued to improve as each dimension was added, but this specificity came with incumbent multicollinearity when trying to use the constructs for prediction purposes. © 2010 Copyright the Authors. Journal of Applied Social Psychology © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.