Rethinking barriers: a novel conceptualization of exercise barriers in cancer survivors |
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| Authors: | Morgan S Lee Brent J Small Paul B Jacobsen |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA;2. Department of Health Sciences, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA;3. School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA;4. Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA |
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| Abstract: | Previous research suggests different types of barriers may demonstrate different relationships with intention to engage in health behaviors. This study explored global, practical, and health-related barriers’ relationships with exercise intention and behavior among cancer survivors. The mediating role of intention in the barriers-behavior relationships was also evaluated. Cancer survivors (N = 152) completed self-report measures of exercise barriers, intention, and behavior at baseline and of exercise behavior two months later. Global barriers were negatively related (p < .01) and practical and health-related barriers were unrelated (ps ≥ .07) to exercise intention. Global and practical barriers were negatively related (ps < .01) and health-related barriers were unrelated (p = .48) to subsequent exercise behavior. Exercise intention did not mediate any barriers-behavior relationships. Results suggest that global and practical barriers should be targeted in barriers reduction interventions and highlight the intention-behavior gap problem. Future research should explore multidimensionality of barriers for other health behaviors. |
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| Keywords: | Exercise physical activity cancer survivors barriers intention-behavior gap |
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