Abstract
Abstract
Tsung-I Pai, Shu-Yuan Chang
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity participation and health related self-efficacy of college students in southern Taiwan. Self-efficacy theory as a theoretical framework explains individuals' beliefs about themselves. Participants were 117 female and 323 male college students randomly selected from five schools. The participants were asked to complete a single survey booklet and a demographic questionnaire. The Health-Specific Self-Efficacy Scale measured students' self-efficacy in the health domain. The Physical Activity Identity was used to understand the degree of role-identity in physical activity. The physical activity self-efficacy proved to be a major factor to with physical activity behaviors. Physical activity identity and total health related self-efficacy were cognitive factors influencing students' perceptions and behaviors in physical activity. A combination of cognitive factors including, nutrition self-efficacy, physical activity self-efficacy, alcohol resistance self-efficacy, and physical activity identity predicted students' healthy or unhealthy coping mechanisms with an average overall percentage of correct classification of 73%. Gender and students' majors showed significant differences in health domains. The results suggest that physical education courses enable students to experience an enjoyable and valuable learning setting.
