The two sides of goal intentions: Intention self-concordance and intention strength as predictors of physical activity
Objective: The present research introduces an extended conceptualisation of self-concordance, which is considered an attribute not only of goals, but also of goal intentions. Based on a corresponding operationalisation, we investigate the interplay of both intention strength and intention self-conco...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Routledge
2016
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/46047 |
| Summary: | Objective: The present research introduces an extended conceptualisation of self-concordance, which is considered an attribute not only of goals, but also of goal intentions. Based on a corresponding operationalisation, we investigate the interplay of both intention strength and intention self-concordance in the prediction of physical activity. Design: Data were taken from a longitudinal study of 134 obese people who were asked to fill out a questionnaire three times every six months. Main measures: Physical activity and intention self-concordance were measured by validated scales. Intentions strength was assessed by an item typically employed in the extant literature. Results: Logistic regression analyses and path analyses showed both intention strength and self-concordance to be significant predictors of changes in physical activity over time. Additional analyses found self-efficacy to be a significant predictor of intention strength and self-concordance; for outcome expectations this was not the case. Conclusions: Findings support the idea that intention strength and self-concordance are two critical facets of a goal intention that need to be considered in the prediction of physical activity participation. Whereas intention strength refers to the degree of determination with which a goal intention is adopted, self-concordance rather captures the quality of this intention. |
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