Does how we think about others matter? Examining similarity and groupness in relation to exercise adherence

Abstract

Perceptions about those we exercise with appear to impact individual adherence. For instance, the perceived similarity of our co-exercisers has been associated with increased exercise participation (Dunlop & Beauchamp, 2011). As well, the extent to which we perceive these people to be a group (i.e., groupness) has been positively related to adherence (Spink et al., 2010). Although Ulvick et al. (2012) reported a relationship between deep-level similarity (DLS) and groupness, it is unclear whether these constructs operate together to predict adherence. The present study aimed to concurrently examine the relationships between DLS, groupness, and adherence. Adults (N = 185), recalling a structured exercise group they had participated in, completed online measures of DLS (Harrison et al., 1998), groupness (Spink et al., 2010), and adherence (frequency and percent attendance). SEM was used to examine DLS and groupness as predictors of adherence, as well as the relationship between DLS and groupness. Results indicated an adequate model fit, CFI = .94, RMSEA = .08, with a SMC for adherence of .46. The relationships between DLS and adherence, groupness and adherence, and DLS and groupness were all positive and significant. One interpretation might be that perceptions of similarity contribute to groupness, and perceptions of groupness then lead to increased adherence. Investigating groupness as a possible mediator in the similarity-adherence relationship awaits future research.