Research

The influence of self-efficacy and outcome expectations on the relationship between perceived environment and physical activity in the workplace

Tricia R Prodaniuk¹ , Ronald C Plotnikoff^1,2,3 , John C Spence¹ and Phillip M Wilson⁴

¹  Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

²  Centre for Health Promotion Studies, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

³  Alberta Centre for Active Living, Edmonton, AB, Canada

⁴  Faculty of Physical Education and Kinesiology, Brock University, ONT, Canada

author email corresponding author email

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2004, 1:7doi:10.1186/1479-5868-1-7

Published:	15 March 2004

Abstract

Background

Recent research and commentary contends that ecological approaches may be particularly useful for understanding and promoting physical activity participation in various settings including the workplace. Yet within the physical activity domain there is a lack of understanding of how ecological environment factors influence behaviour. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived environment, social-cognitive variables, and physical activity behaviour.

Methods

Participants (N = 897) were employees from three large worksites who completed self-report inventories containing measures of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, perceptions of the workplace environment (PWES), and physical activity behaviour during both leisure-time and incorporated throughout the workday.

Results

Results of both bivariate and multiple regression analyses indicated the global PWES scores had a limited association with leisure-time physical activity (R²adj =.01). Sequential regression analyses supported a weak association between physical activity incorporated in the workplace and PWES (R²adj = .04) and the partial mediation of self-efficacy on the relationship between PWES and workplace physical activity (variance accounted for reduced to R²adj = .02 when self-efficacy was controlled).

Conclusion

Overall, the results of the present investigation indicate that self-efficacy acted as a partial mediator of the relationship between perceived environment and workplace physical activity participation. Implications of the findings for physical activity promotion using ecological-based approaches, and future directions for research from this perspective in worksite settings are discussed.