Patient Preference and Adherence (Feb 2020)
Predicting Stage of Exercise Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Test of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior
Abstract
Min Gao,1,2 Xueying Chen,1 Xin Sun,1 Fengbin Wang,1 Lishi Fan,1 Xinying Sun1 1School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKCorrespondence: Xinying SunSchool of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 136 9121 2050Email [email protected]: This study aimed to predict stage of exercise among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes by using an extended theory of planned behavior model (TPB) incorporating descriptive norm and self-identity.Patients and Methods: Participants (N=791) were included in a cross-sectional study. Structural equation modeling was used to explain how the extended TPB could predict the stage of exercise.Results: The model accounted for 41% of the variance in stage of exercise and 81.1% of the variance in intention. Intention (β=0.359, P< 0.01) and self-identity (β=0.236, P< 0.001) had a direct effect on stage of exercise. Self-identity (β=0.261, P< 0.001), descriptive norm (β=0.035, P< 0.05) and PBC (β=0.683, P< 0.001) were strong predicators of intention. The effects of self-identity and PBC on behavior were significantly mediated via intention. Age, BMI and stage of diet behavior were found to be significantly related to intention and behavior.Conclusion: This study has tested the usefulness of the extended TPB for explaining exercise in Chinese diabetic patients. To promote patients to start or continue exercising, interventions should target self-identity and controllability for physical activity.Keywords: theory of planned behavior, stage of change, exercise, descriptive norm, self-identity