Social Psychology of Health Behavior

Social Psychology of Health Behavior

Introduction

Background of the study

SCT provides a popular framework for exploring the influence of the social context on behavior. In SCT, health behaviors are thought to be influenced by intrapersonal, social, and environmental systems (Bandura, 2010). Multiple determinants from these systems interact in a reciprocal manner to influence behavior through a changing set of behavioral contingencies. That is, social and environmental factors such as social norms and access to resources (e.g., a gym) influence intrapersonal factors such as outcome expectancies and self-efficacy. Those intrapersonal factors also influence how an individual interacts with others and one's broader environment to determine a behavior outcome (Bandura, 2010). In SCT, social relationships are identified as a key factor of the social context and are an important potential source for support and approval that an individual may receive in response to a behavior. (Dishman, et al., 2010; Motl, Dishman, Saunders, Dowda, & Pate, 2010; Wallston, Alagna, DeVellis, & DeVellis, 2010). Research has shown that as increasing amounts of time are spent with friends compared to family, peer relationships are particularly important in adolescence and provide opportunity for peer influences across many behaviors, including PA (Duncan, Duncan, & Strycker, 2011; Montemayor, 2010). While peer social support, has been shown to be influential, it is not yet clear the mechanisms through which the social context with or involving peers may influence PA. Therefore, peer social support as a part of social contextual influence is the focus of the proposed study.

SDT, a motivational theory, expands on SCT by linking social context to motivational factors. SDT conceptualizes motivation to engage in a behavior (e.g., PA) on a continuum with intrinsic motivation (regulated internally and occurring due to inherent satisfaction from or enjoyment of the behavior) on one end and extrinsic motivation (regulated externally and occurring in order to attain separate external outcomes such as reward) at the other. In SDT, intrinsic motivation results from the fulfillment of three basic psychological needs: autonomy, belongingness, and competence (Deci & Ryan, 2008). SDT takes into account context such that motivation to engage in a behavior happens within a social context that either enhances or undermines intrinsic motivation through the three basic psychological needs (Ryan & Deci, 2009). Consequently, social context is important in determining where along the motivation continuum an individual's behavior is regulated and can exhibit direct and/or indirect effects (via intrinsic motivation) on PA. Peer social support, from a SCT perspective, can be integrated with SDT in that peers relationships provide feedback regarding an individual's autonomy, belongingness, and competence for engaging in PA thereby affecting motivation. Indeed, much research exists linking peer social support and motivation (Chatzisarantis, Hagger, Smith, & Sage, 2010; Ferrer-Caja & Weiss, 2009; Gillison, Standage, & Skevington, 2010; Motl, Dishman, Saunders, Dowda, & Pate, 2009; Prochaska, Rodgers, & Sallis, 2008; Salvy, et al., 2009; Tappe, Duda, & Menges- Ehrnwald, 2009)

Problem Statement

The rise in overweight and obesity rates has prompted major public health concerns, particularly among youth and minorities ...