Gender differences in social influence on physical activity at different stages of exercise adoption

Abstract

The belief that significant others (referents) felt the subjects should exercise (normative beliefs) was the strongest in subjects in the maintenance stage and weakest for subjects in the inactive stage. This pattern occurred in all the referent groups and for both male and female subjects. Women's normative beliefs were stronger than men's for all the stages and referent groups. For men, motivation to comply with referents was strongest in the maintenance stage and weakest in the inactive stage. This pattern was not as clearly visible in female subjects. Inactive women had higher motivation to comply then did men for all conditions and referent groups, but this motivation was most pronounced in the inactive stage.