Theodorakis, Y. (1994). Planned behavior, attitude strength, role identity, and the prediction of exercise behavior. The Sport Psychologist, 8, 149-165. Planned behavior, attitude strength, role-identity, and the prediction of exercise behavior

The attitude-behavior relationships have been a major topic of research in the area of sport and exercise psychology. The aim of this study was to examine the attitude-exercise behavior relationship according to the theory of planned behavior. Two additional variables, multicomponent attitude strength and role-identity, were constructed to expand the initial model. The sample consisted of 395 females, 18 to 50 years of age, who were participating in physical fitness programs. Their participation was recorded over a two month period and served as a behavioral criterion. Attitudes toward behavior, perceived behavioral control, role-identity and attitude strength, predicted intention to exercise (R=.64). Also, exercise behavior was predicted from intention, perceived behavioral control, role-identity and attitude strength (R=.62). Perceived behavioral control was a more accurate predictor of behavior than intention (r=.54 and r=.47 respectively). Results also showed that the planned behavior model was slightly more successful in predicting exercise behavior when attitude strength and roleidentity were added in the analysis. Findings are discussed in terms of theoretical as well as practical implications and the role of intention, perceived behavioral control, role-identity and attitude strength variables for understanding attitude-behavior relationships. When sport psychologists examine the effects of attitudes on exercise behavior, they should take into consideration the interaction of factors such as intention, behavioral control, role-identity and attitude strength.

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