Travis Menuz

Topic

Associations Between Stress, Affect, and Physical Activity in Young Adulthood: Stages of Change as Potential Moderators

Department of Psychology

Date & location

• Wednesday, July 3, 2024

• 9:00 A.M.

• Virtual Defence

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Megan Ames, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria (Supervisor)

• Dr. Jonathan Rush, Department of Psychology, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

• Dr. Sam Liu, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria 

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Amy Verdun, Department of Political Science, UVic

   

Abstract

Current global estimates of physical activity suggest that less than 20% of adolescents are sufficiently physically active, and 28% of adults over 18 are not active enough to stay healthy despite the known physical and mental health benefits. Given the notable short- and long-term benefits of physical activity, paired with insufficient engagement rates, young adulthood (ages 19-25) is a critical time to build and support continued physical activity engagement across the lifespan. Research has identified increased stress and negative mood to impair physical activity efforts, but the associations between stress and affect and physical activity at the daily levels remained largely unexplored. In addition, potential moderating factors of these associations currently lack research. This study aimed to understand the associations between daily stress, positive and negative affect, and physical activity, as well as explore the six Stages of Change (SoC) as potential moderating factors. Undergraduates (N = 74; Mage = 20.88, SD = 2.53) responded to surveys administered through a smartphone app for 14 days and wore a Fitbit Charge 2 to gather physical activity data (i.e., daily steps). Multi-level models showed no within person associations between stress, positive and negative affect, and physical activity. However, two significant interactions were observed: (1) contemplation significantly moderated the association between positive affect and physical activity, and (2) action significantly moderated the association between negative affect and action. Overall, results concerning the moderating impact of SoC were mixed; yet provide directions for future research. Results can provide new insight for strategies that focus on strengthening personal intentions and promoting individual motivations to engage in health behaviours such as physical activity.

 Keywords: physical activity; young adulthood; stages of change; wearable technology