Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2020 Apr;39(4):269-280.
doi: 10.1037/hea0000845. Epub 2020 Feb 3.

Predicting physical activity among cancer survivors: Meta-analytic path modeling of longitudinal studies

Rachel Hirschey  1 , Ashley Leak Bryant  1 , Catherine Macek  1 , Claudio Battaglini  2 , Sheila Santacroce  1 , Kerry S Courneya  3 , Jennifer S Walker  4 , Aya Avishai  5 , Paschal Sheeran  6
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Predicting physical activity among cancer survivors: Meta-analytic path modeling of longitudinal studies

Rachel Hirschey et al. Health Psychol. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: We conducted meta-analyses and meta-analytic structural equation modeling of longitudinal studies among cancer survivors to (a) quantify associations between psychosocial predictors and physical activity, (b) test how psychosocial predictors combine to influence physical activity, and (c) identify study, demographic, and clinical characteristics that moderate associations.

Method: Eligible studies used a longitudinal, observational design, included a sample of cancer survivors, and measured both a psychosocial predictor at baseline and physical activity at a later time-point. Of 2,431 records located through computerized searches, 25 independent tests (N = 5,897) met the inclusion criteria for the review. Random effects meta-analyses and meta-analytic structural equation modeling were conducted.

Results: Eight psychosocial predictors of physical activity were identified. Self-efficacy (r+ = 0.26) and intentions (r+ = 0.33) were the strongest predictors in bivariate analyses. The structural equation models included attitudes, injunctive norms, self-efficacy, intentions, and physical activity (k = 22, N = 4,385). The model with the best fit, χ2(2) = 0.11, p = .95, root mean square error of approximation = .00, comparative fit index = 1.00, Tucker-Lewis index = 1.00, indicated that all specified paths were significant. Intentions were the strongest predictor of physical activity (β = 0.27, p < .001), and attitudes and self-efficacy were strong predictors of intentions (both βs = 0.29, ps < .001). Few significant moderators were observed.

Conclusion: This review indicates that self-efficacy and intentions are direct predictors of physical activity in cancer survivors. Further, attitudes and norms predict physical activity through intentions. Findings inform intervention development to increase physical activity engagement among cancer survivors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA Flow Diagram
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Model (Model 1)
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Model Specifying Direct Path from Self-Efficacy to Physical Activity (Model 2)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. *Abraham C & Michie S (2008). A taxonomy of behavior change techniques used in interventions. Health Psychol, 27(3), 379–387. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.27.3.379 - DOI - PubMed
    1. *Ajzen I (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. 10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T - DOI
    1. *Ajzen I (2002). Perceived Behavioral Control, Self-Efficacy, Locus of Control, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 32(4), 665–683. doi:DOI10.1111/j.1559-1816.2002.tb00236.x - DOI
    1. *Albarracin D, & Wyer RS Jr. (2000). The cognitive impact of past behavior: influences on beliefs, attitudes, and future behavioral decisions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(1), 5–22. - PMC - PubMed
    1. *Balogh EP (2018). Incorporating Weight Management and Physical Activity Throughout the Cancer Care Continuum: Proceedings of a Workshop. doi:10.17226/24925 - DOI - PubMed

Publication types