Abstract
Media messages can influence parent support for children's physical activity (PA). Unfortunately, many PA messages targeting parents are not necessarily inclusive of parents of children with disabilities (CWD). Parents of CWD have a variety of specific and unique needs when supporting their children to engage in PA. The effects of general PA messages on the support behaviour of parents of CWD is unknown. Guided by the Adapted Social Issue Advertising Believability Model, this study examined the effect of messages on parents' psychosocial cognitions regarding child PA and parent support behaviour. Parents of CWD (N=83) were randomized to view one of four PA messages; a) inclusive, b) non-inclusive, c) neutral, and d) Parasport. Psychosocial variables were assessed before, immediately post and two weeks post viewing. Preliminary repeated measures analyses identified significant (p<.05) main effects for time such that attitudes, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, and planning for parent PA support increased from baseline to post-viewing. Parent support behaviour also increased from baseline to two-week follow-up. There were no time x condition interaction effects suggesting that message effects did not differ by condition. PA messages may be useful to enhance support behaviour among parents of CWD. Further research is necessary to understand the development of optimally effective PA messages targeting parents of CWD.
