Abstract
Social influence is an important correlate of health-promoting behaviours, including physical activity (Booth et al., 2002). Although social influence can take many forms, one aspect involves the provision of social support. In activity research, Weiss’ (1974) Model of Social Provisions has served as a framework for understanding overall activity (Motl et al., 2006) as well as participation in structured exercise programs (Fraser & Spink, 2002). Absent from this literature, however, is consideration as to which social provisions might be related to meeting the recommended activity levels needed to yield health benefits. To address this gap, 144 young adults who reported engaging in moderate/vigorous activity (MVPA) with others completed a modified Social Provisions Scale (Cutrona & Russell, 1987) and a measure of activity group involvement (frequency and duration). Participants were classified as either “sufficiently” (≥150 mins MVPA/week) or “insufficiently” active (<150 min MVPA/week). A logistic regression was used to predict which social provisions would differentiate between sufficiently and insufficiently active young adults. The overall model was significant (χ2 = 12.7, p < .01, Nagelkerke R2 = .12). Results revealed that two provisions, social integration and opportunity for nurturance, were significant predictors (p’s < .05). For each one-unit increase in social integration and opportunity for nurturance, the log odds of being in the sufficiently active (versus insufficiently active) group increased by 1.37 and 1.28, respectively. These findings suggest that having common interests and feeling relied upon by others in the activity setting are important factors in health-related physical activity.Acknowledgments: This research was supported by a SSHRC Doctoral Canada Graduate Scholarship to the first author.