Relationship between self-efficacy, social support, and physical activity among a church-based sample of African-American adults

Studies have shown a positive relationship between exercise self–efficacy (ESE), social support (SS), and physical activity (PA). However, this is a great need to understand these relationships among racial/ethnic minorities. Project CHURCH was a cohort study to examine the role of lifestyle/behavioral, social, and environmental factors on minority health. This study examined relationships among ESE, SS, and PA in African American (AA) adults between the ages of 19–87 years (N=1375; female=76.4%; age=46.5±12.8 years). ESE, SS, and self-report PA (as measured by IPAQ-short), were obtained via computer-based survey. Multiple regression models, controlled for age, gender, and education, were performed to examine the effect of ESE and SS on PA (e.g. Vigorous Activity (VA); Moderate Activity (MA); Walking Activity (WA); and Total Activity (TA)). There were significant positive associations between ESE and all levels of PA (standardized coefficient, ΒVA =0.16**; ΒMA =0.12**; ΒWA=0.08*; ΒTA=0.15**), whereas SS predicted VA (Β=0.16**), MA (Β=0.05*) and TA (Β=0.06*). Mediation analyses indicated exercise self-efficacy was a mediator of the relationship between social support and all levels of PA. The mediated effect, point estimate (BCa95%CI), was stronger for PA Total Activity (TA=2.17(0.92–4.15)) compared to the mediator effect on PA for Vigorous Activity (VA = 0.75(0.25–1.5)), Moderate Activity (MA=0.74(0.28–1.45)), and Walking Activity (WA=0.58(0.14–1.31).This study demonstrated a relationship between SS, ESE, and PA in African-American adults. This finding provides additional evidence of the importance of ESE and SS for increasing physical activity among African-American adults. *p<0.05; **p<0.01