In Search of Behavior Change: Cognitive Restructuring Techniques for Increasing Self Efficacy in Older Adults and Physical Activity

Abstract

The ability of health educators, exercise specialists and other health-related professionals to foster participation in physical activity in older adults has been a challenge for many years. Many health professionals have endeavored to develop programs to encourage behavior change in this population, without much success. Most of the programs have avoided the issue of self-efficacy. The purpose of this review is to examine the use of cognitive restructuring as a psycho-educational intervention for behavior change. This review defines physical activity and exercise, the benefits of physical activity and exercise for older adults, the psychological benefits, the recommended levels of physical activity and exercise for older adults and the current level of physical activity trends and exercise for older adults. It also presents an overview of several behavior change theories along with a detailed review of the selected change theory, Social Cognitive Theory. Finally, factors affecting development of an intervention designed to result in behavior change in regard to physical activity/exercise will be reviewed. Physical activity has been shown to be advantageous to individuals, regardless of their particular stage in life [1]. More specifically, exercise has been shown to have positive effects on the health of individuals from childhood through individuals in their 80's and beyond [1]. In fact, research indicates that there is no defined age at which individuals stop receiving health benefits from exercise or physical activity [1,2].In contrast, physical inactivity is one of the major health risks for people of all ages [2]. Moreover, physical inactivity has been selected as the leading health indicator in the Healthy People 2020, which is a set of federal health objectives for the nation to achieve over the first decade of the new century. This program reflects the commitment of the federal government to promoting the health of the U.S. population. The most recent plan has two goals for Americans through the year 2020: increasing the quality and years of healthy life and eliminating health disparities.