Although physical activity above a certain threshold has been associated with numerous health benefits (Warburton, Nicol, & Bredin, 2006), most Canadians are not active enough to realize these benefits (Craig, Russell, Cameron, & Bauman, 2004). In order to examine individuals own explanations of their health-related physical activity behaviour in terms of attributions, four studies testing elements of Weiners (1986) attribution theory and Banduras (1997) self-efficacy theory were conducted with a university sample. The results from the first study revealed that perceived outcome differentiated attributional explanations while objective outcome did not. Results also revealed that although predicted relationships concerning attribution-dependent emotions were largely unsupported, emotions were associated with outcomes. Further, results suggested that those making stable attributions reported more certainty of similar future outcomes than those making unstable attributions. Results in the second study suggested that attributional dimensions significantly improved the prediction of self-regulatory efficacy beyond that predicted by past success/failure to be active enough for health benefits alone. Stability appeared to be the most important attributional dimension in predicting self-efficacy. Results in the third study suggested self-regulatory efficacy significantly improved the prediction of future intention beyond that of past success/failure to be active enough for health benefits alone. The results from the fourth study supported the plausibility of self-regulatory efficacy partially mediating the relationship between stability of attributions for typical levels of exercise and intention to maintain those levels during a forthcoming final exam period for both moderate- and mild-intensity exercise. Results are discussed in the contexts of testing attribution theory and self-efficacy theory and improving understandings of physical activity behaviour.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this project was to determine the effect of aquatic exercise and aquatic exercise combined with an education group program on decreasing both psychosocial and physical fall risk factors in community-dwelling older adults with hip osteoarthritis (OA). Secondary purposes were to 1) describe fall risk, history and nature of falls and near-falls in older adults with hip OA, 2) determine the association of the timed up and go test (TUG) to history of falls and near-falls, 4) explore the relationship of both psychosocial and physical factors to history of falls and near-falls, and 5) evaluate the role of falls-efficacy in predicting balance performance. Methods: Participants were recruited from the community and screened for presence of hip osteoarthritis and fall risk. Baseline fall history and a battery of measures for balance, muscle strength, functional ability and falls-efficacy were administered. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of three groups: Aquatic Exercise, Aquatic Exercise and Education or a Control Group. The interventions were twice per week for 11 weeks. Fall risk factors were measured after 11 weeks. Study 1 described history of falls and near-falls and evaluated the association of the TUG screening test with fall and near-fall history. Study 2 summarized the relationships of physical and psychosocial fall risk factors and identified the primary predictors of fall risk, based on associations with fall history. Study 3 evaluated the randomized controlled clinical trial comparing the impact of the interventions (aquatic exercise and education) on fall risk outcomes. Results: Older adults with hip OA reported a high frequency of falls and near-falls. The TUG, using a cut-off score of 10 sec., was associated with frequent near-fall history. There was a strong association of frequent near-falls to history of actual falls, with the association increasing 7-fold if lower falls-efficacy was present. Falls-efficacy was also an independent predictor of balance impairment. Screening for history of near-falls and falls-efficacy may be important in predicting risk of future falls. The combination of Aquatic Exercise and Education improved falls-efficacy and functional mobility compared to Aquatic Exercise only or no intervention. Aquatic Exercise on its own was not effective in decreasing fall risk factors or improving falls-efficacy. Significance of Findings: The accumulation of both physical and psychosocial risk factors in older adults with hip OA increases their vulnerability to falls and injury. Fall prevention programs for this population should be designed to include both exercise and education to address falls-efficacy and physical fall risk factors.

Att beskriva hur unga kvinnor med psykisk ohälsa som deltar i en kognitivt inriktad självstärkande intervention, resonerar avseende sina resurser och möjligheter för att skapa förutsättningar till att skaffa ett arbete/studera och komma in i en social gemenskap. Vidare är syftet att kartlägga vilka motiv och förväntningar informanterna hade för att gå utbildningen.

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Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death in Canada and other developed countries. Physical activity based cardiac rehabilitation programs have been shown to reduce the likelihood of subsequent cardiac events and even reverse the disease process. However, factors influencing physical activity in cardiac patients are still not clearly understood. The overall objective of this dissertation was therefore to better understand motivation and physical activity in a cardiac rehabilitation context. Specifically, theory-based motivational variables were studied as correlates of physical activity. To accomplish this objective, a two-purpose research approach was taken. First, two articles (Article-1 and Article-2) aimed to test and integrate concepts from two strong motivational theories: Self-Efficacy Theory (SET) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) into one comprehensive model using the novel and rigorous approach of Noar and Zimmerman (2005). The second purpose of this dissertation was to extend the findings from the first purpose by investigating physical activity and motivational patterns over a 24-month period in cardiac patients (Article 3). With regards to the first purpose, Article-1 revealed that the integration of SDT and SET was feasible as the integrated model had good model fit, explained more variance in self-determined motivation, confidence, and physical activity and supported similar number of hypothesised links in a cross-sectional cardiac sample as well two other samples: primary care adults and university students. Due to the cross-sectional nature of Article-1, Article-2 tested the integrated SDT-SET model from cardiac patients with longitudinal data of patients following a cardiac rehabilitation program. Although no motivational variables predicted residual change in physical activity at 4-months, this longitudinal model was found to have good model fit. Across both articles, the integration of SDT and SET was found to be possible. However, more research is needed to further test the integration of these theories. As for the second purpose of this dissertation, Article-3 investigated physical activity and motivational patterns of cardiac rehabilitation participants over the course of 24 months. Distinct patterns were found for physical activity, self-determined motivation, barrier self-efficacy and outcome expectations. In addition, individuals in the higher patterns of the motivational/expectancy variables had greater probability of being in the maintenance physical activity pattern compared to individuals in the other motivational/expectancy patterns. Therefore, this article extended findings from the first purpose by linking SDT and SET variables to long-term physical activity behaviour. SDT and SET should continue to be investigated together in order to increase our understanding of the mechanisms leading to greater motivation and subsequent increases in physical activity levels. Having a theoretically supported pathway to build motivation is ideal to inform future interventions and cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Abstract Past research has shown that motivation is an important predictor of goal-related behaviors. Sheldon and Elliot (1999) proposed the Self-Concordance Model (SCM), to distinguish between personal goals that reflect intrinsic interests and values (self-concordant goals) and personal goals that are pursued because of self-imposed and social pressures (self-discordant goals). Another important motivational construct is self-efficacy, people’s beliefs in their capabilities to exercise control over their level of functioning and their environment (Bandura, 1996). Self-efficacy has been shown to predict goal attainment and well-being as people who are self-efficacious put more effort and commitment towards their goals (Koestner, Horberg, Gaudreau, Powers, Di Dio, Bryan, Jochum & Salter, 2006). Despite the unique contribution of self-concordance and self-efficacy, little is known about their combined effects. I performed a study with 135 university students to investigate whether two self-regulatory processes could in fact be better than one. Results using hierarchical regression analyses indicated that self-efficacy did moderate the relationship between self-concordance and the outcome variables. Self-concordance was associated with greater well-being and goal progress for those high on self-efficacy (β = .21, p < .05; β = .33, p < .01) while negatively relating to well-being and goal progress for those low on self-efficacy (β = -.22, p = .07; β = -.19, p > .05 ). It appears that two motivational processes combined, self-concordance and self-efficacy, are in fact better than one.

Antal individer som söker sig till vidareutbildning på akademisk nivå har ökat under den senaste finanskrisen. Studier på landets lärosäten är oftast en mångårig process och kräver både motivation och tro på egen förmåga. Deltagarna i denna studie kommer från olika högskolor och studieinriktningar och har i många fall lämnat en trygg inkomstkälla i valet att vidareutbilda sig. För att undersöka betydelsen av en individs arbetslivserfarenhets i valet av utbildning användes mätinstrumentet AMS för att mäta motivation och GSE för att mäta grad av self-efficacy. Resultatet visade att det föreligger en statistisk signifikant skillnad på arbetslivserfarenhet och grad av self-efficacy samt att individer som saknar arbetslivserfarenhet upplever mer amotivation gentemot sina studier. Studiens slutsats ligger i linje med tidigare forskning vilket är att studenter motiveras i högre grad av yttre motivation vid valet av studier.

Con el desarrollo de esta tesis se pretendía profundizar en el estudio de las creencias de eficacia, utilizando la Teoría Social Cognitiva (TSC) de Albert Bandura como marco teórico. Esta teoría asume que las personas, en un intento por alterar su entorno, se adaptan a aquellos aspectos que les gustan, mientras que al mismo tiempo tratan de modificar aquellos aspectos que encuentran indeseables, desarrollando creencias y competencias. Por otro lado, algunos de los estudios que componen la tesis se han centrado en los antecedentes y consecuencias del bienestar de los trabajadores, centrándose en las principales predicciones del Modelo Demandas y Recursos Laborales (D-RL) (Demerouti, Bakker, Nachreiner, y Schaufeli, 2001; Schaufeli y Bakker, 2004). Este modelo reconoce la singularidad de cada entorno laboral, es decir, las características laborales y organizacionales que son las principales responsables de su bienestar.Por tanto, los objetivos generales son: 1) Ampliar el Modelo D-RL, incluyendo los recursos personales (creencias de eficacia), demandas y recursos laborales en la predicción del burnout y del engagement. 2) Diseñar y validar una escala de autoeficacia específica, siguiendo las recomendaciones de la TSC. 3) Probar si la autoeficacia predice engagement y desempeño laboral a través de los recursos laborales y personales. 4) Obtener información sobre los mecanismos psicológicos (poder motivacional de las creencias de eficacia), que operan en la forma en que el liderazgo transformacional predice desempeño extra rol. 5) Conocer las diferentes percepciones sobre las causas de los accidentes laborales en el sector de la construcción. 6) Profundizar en el conocimiento de las consecuencias de los altos niveles de autoeficacia (sobreconfianza), y examinar si sus consecuencias son positivas o negativas dependiendo del tipo de actividad que se está desarrollando (de aprendizaje, de innovación o de riesgo).Para poner a prueba estos objetivos generales, se han desarrollado seis estudios empíricos. Estos estudios han combinado metodología cualitativa y cuantitativa, estudios longitudinales y transversales, de campo y de laboratorio y se han utilizado seis muestras distintas, pertenecientes a dos países europeos. Estos estudios han dado lugar a seis artículos de investigación que han sido sometidos varias revistas de impacto para su publicación. Con el desarrollo de los citados seis estudios que componen la tesis, se han alcanzado los seis objetivos planteados. El primer objetivo era ampliar el modelo D-RL, incluyendo (además de demandas y recursos laborales), la autoeficacia como recurso personal, en la predicción del burnout y del engagement. Se utilizó un diseño longitudinal con dos momentos temporales de recogida de datos. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 274 profesores de secundaria. Análisis de regresión múltiple jerárquicos pusieron de manifiesto que la autoeficacia en Tiempo 1 predecía significativamente los niveles de burnout y engagement en Tiempo 2, pero esta relación desaparecía cuando se tenían en cuenta los niveles basales de burnout y engagment. Por tanto, estos resultados son importantes a la hora de explicar el desarrollo temporal del burnout y del engagement. El segundo objetivo de la tesis era mostrar el procedimiento llevado a cabo para diseñar y validar una escala específica de creencias de eficacia, siguiendo las recomendaciones de la TSC. Por tanto, aplicando la Técnica de Incidentes Críticos de Flanagan (1954), y un análisis cualitativo del contenido, se identificaron los principales obstáculos que posteriormente permitieron desarrollar los 7 ítems que formaron la escala definitiva. Esta escala fue validada en una muestra de 265 trabajadores de la construcción y se utilizó en el estudio 3 que se explica en el capítulo 4 de esta tesis.El tercer objetivo de la tesis era poner a prueba el rol predictor de la autoeficacia en el modelo D-RL, es decir, comprobar si la autoeficacia predice el engagement y el desempeño a través de los recursos laborales y personales. Para ello se utilizó una muestra de 228 trabajadores de la construcción. Modelos de ecuaciones estructurales confirmaron nuestro modelo de investigación, esto es, el rol predictor que desempeña la autoeficacia, en la percepción de recursos laborales y también personales (competencias mentales y emocionales), que a su vez influyen en el engagement y el desempeño laboral. Además también se encontró una relación directa entre autoeficacia y desempeño. Estos resultados enfatizan el papel que juega la autoeficacia en la predicción de procesos positivos en el ámbito laboral.El cuarto objetivo de la tesis era obtener más información sobre los mecanismos psicológicos (poder motivacional de las creencias de eficacia), que operan en la forma en que el liderazgo transformacional predice el desempeño extra-rol de los trabajadores. Se utilizó una muestra de 280 enfermeros portugueses. Análisis con modelos de ecuaciones estructurales fueron consistentes con un modelo mediacional en el que el liderazgo transformacional se relaciona con desempeño extra-rol, a través de la autoeficacia y el engagement laboral. Por tanto, se puede concluir que el estilo de liderazgo transformacional influye en las creencias de eficacia de los trabajadores, que a su vez, predice positivamente los niveles de engagement y de desempeño extra-rol. Por tanto, este estudio ha permitido identificar una variable contextual (liderazgo transformacional), capaz de influir en las creencias de eficacia de los trabajadores a través del modelado y la persuasión verbal, que son dos importantes fuentes de autoeficacia (Bandura, 2001b).El quinto objetivo de la tesis era ampliar nuestro conocimiento sobre las posibles causas de accidentes en el sector de la construcción. Para ello, utilizando una metodología cualitativa, se analizaron las diferentes percepciones que presentaban varios expertos del sector que fueron entrevistados y que participaron en una mesa redonda en la que se trataron los temas de interés psicosocial para el desarrollo de este estudio. Los resultados mostraron un consenso absoluto entre todos los participantes sobre las principales causas de accidentes: la sobreconfianza y los riesgos percibidos más como un reto que como un peligro para la integridad física. Estos resultados inspiraron, en parte, nuestro próximo estudio, en el que se comparan varios contextos para ver si una alta autoeficacia (o sobreconfianza) se relaciona con consecuencias positivas o negativas en función de la actividad que se esté desarrollando.Por tanto el sexto y último objetivo de la tesis era analizar si las consecuencias de unos altos niveles de autoeficacia son positivas o negativas dependiendo del tipo de actividad. Para eso se compararon tres contextos distintos, utilizando tres muestras diferentes: 527 estudiantes para el contexto de aprendizaje, 165 participantes de un estudio de laboratorio para el contexto de innovación y finalmente, 228 trabajadores de la construcción para el contexto de riesgo. Los resultados mostraron que efectivamente, las creencias de eficacia se relacionan con consecuencias positivas o negativas en función del contexto de actividad. En el contexto de aprendizaje y de innovación, altos niveles de creencias de eficacia se relacionan con consecuencias positivas (mejor desempeño académico y de innovación), mientras que en el contexto de riesgo, niveles altos de creencias de autoeficacia se relacionan con menos conductas seguras, es decir, con un bajo desempeño en seguridad, y por tanto con consecuencias negativas (negligencias y accidentes laborales). Estudios anteriores muestras que altos niveles de autoeficacia suelen relacionarse con resultados positivos pero nuestros resultados ponen de manifiesto que esta relación "depende" del contexto de actividad en el que nos encontremos. Con el desarrollo de los seis estudios que forman la tesis, se ha ampliado el modelo D-RL, pues se han incluido las creencias de eficacia como recurso personal y se ha puesto de manifiesto su rol predictor en el proceso motivacional del modelo. Por tanto se ha mostrado que las creencias de eficacia son el principal recurso personal, ya que presentan poder de influencia en el desempeño laboral y en la forma en que los trabajadores perciben los recursos laborales pero también otros recursos personales como las propias competencias mentales y emocionales. Por otro lado, el liderazgo transformacional se ha identificado como una variable contextual capaz de aumentar las creencias de eficacia de los trabajadores, así como sus niveles de bienestar y su desempeño extra-role. Finalmente, se ha ampliado la Teoría Social Cognitiva, explorando y comparando el rol de las creencias de eficacia, así como sus consecuencias, en distintos contextos de actividad.

This study explored the development of musical self-efficacy and musical self-image in 35 young adolescents choral musicians engaged in a vocal improvisation program. A mixed methods methodology was employed. Quantitative measures were conducted through a survey instrument developed for this study based on a five-fold theoretical structure of efficacy development. Using a sequential explanatory design, quantitative data was followed by interviews, written reflections, and participant and teacher/researcher field notes. Participants were engaged in daily vocal improvisation activities for 16 weeks. Four transitions points in the study demarcated data collection segments. Transitions consisted of two participant observations and two improvisation concert performances. Findings indicate significant increases in two efficacy source factors: mastery experience and peer vicarious experience. Vocal improvisation facilitated mastery experience perceptions of vocal development through vocal range expansion. Interactive peer vicarious experiences were found to be an important source of efficacy information and an essential feature of musical self-efficacy development. The musical self-efficacy journey was found to be one of ebb and flow as participants struggled to negotiate the musical and social challenges of vocal improvisation. Findings from this study suggest differences in the ways girls and boys negotiated the musical and social challenges of vocal improvisation. Despite the inherent struggles of participants to negotiate these challenges, vocal improvisation provided a rich environment for the study of musical self-efficacy and musical self-image development. Musical self-image was revealed through multifaceted perceptions of musical/creative growth, participant self-regulatory actions and the values participants ascribed to the improvisation experience. Study findings include teacher/researcher reflections on the experience of teaching vocal improvisation in a middle school choral classroom. These reflections include an analysis of teacher identity tensions related to the creative development of students and the performance expectations of the teacher and the musical community.

This study investigates social psychological strategies homeless persons use to develop and maintain the self while homeless. To understand this topic, I apply the identity theory of Stryker, self-esteem ofRosenberg, self-efficacy of Gecas and Schwalbe, and homeless identity meanings and behaviors of Burke. Additionally, I examine what is needed to no longer be homeless. In all, 326 surveys were collected at six different homeless service agencies such as shelters and meal sites. The data analysis includes descriptive statistics and multivariate regression. The results only partially support identity theory in that interactive commitment (increased number of homeless friends) predicts salience (frequently invoking the homeless identity across different situations) which predicts increased length of time in role. However, affective commitment and centrality of the homeless identity have no effect. This study does confirm Snow andAnderson’s findings that homeless persons on the streets for a shorter period of time will distance themselves from the homeless identity, while those on the streets longer will embrace the homeless identity. As opposed to previous research, I find that the majority of homeless respondents do not have low self-esteem or self-efficacy. Instead it is certain factors such as being homeless longer and more often, accepting the homeless identity, viewing the homeless identity as most important, little to no family support and having a high school diploma (or less) that result in homeless persons having low self-esteem or self-efficacy. With homeless identity meanings, people thinking negatively about themselves is the result of having more homeless friends, being homeless longer and more often, possessing low self-esteem and low self-efficacy. Placing great importance on homeless identity behaviors such as helping other homeless people and staying sober influence these outcomes: thinking positively about the self, stronger ties with other homeless people, more homeless friends and invoking the homeless identity more often in different situations. For homeless people to obtain housing, two factors, income and social support systems, are most important. Of all the control variables, sleeping on the streets and multiple disabilities demonstrate the greatest impact for almost all of the independent variables. The implications of these findings are discussed.