Abstract
We pilot tested a walking intervention designed to leverage available social support among older adult couples to promote increased physical activity. Based on self-determination theory, the purpose of this study was to examine whether greater autonomy support and less persuasion and pressure from one's spouse promoted greater increases in physical activity in an 8-week collaborative versus individual goal-setting intervention. 32 couples age 50 and older were randomized together into a concurrent individual (each person set and evaluated their own goals) or a collaborative (couples set and evaluated cumulative goals together) goal-setting condition. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers. Autonomy support, persuasion, and pressure from one's partner were assessed via questionnaire. While this pilot study was not powered to detect interactions, the condition by persuasion interaction (p = .11) and the condition by pressure interaction (p = .08) displayed meaningful trends. Persuasion and pressure were not associated with change in MVPA in the individual condition, but more use of persuasion and pressure by one's spouse was associated with declines in MVPA in the collaborative condition. There was no meaningful interaction between autonomy support and condition (p = .75). Larger studies are needed to determine whether these effects are significant and robust. But results suggest that future research examining physical activity interventions that involve social support among couples should consider the quality of supportive interactions, and address minimizing pressure and persuasive tactics.Acknowledgments: The authors would like to acknowledge support from the Clifford Kinley Trust, and a Purdue University Department of Human Development and Family Studies Pilot Grant