The Influence of Time Perspective on Physical Activity Intentions and Behaviors Among Adolescents Residing in Central Appalachia.

• Main Author: Gulley, Tauna
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2011
• Subjects: Central Appalachia; Adolescents; Physical Activity; Time Perspective; Medicine and Health Sciences; Nursing; Public Health and Community Nursing
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1357; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2548&context=etd

Obesity and inactivity are prevalent among central Appalachian adolescents. Appalachian residents have been labeled "fatalistic," a time perspective unsupportive of health-promoting behaviors such as regular participation in physical activity. The theory of planned behavior has been used extensively to explain the physical activity behaviors of adolescents. Constructs within the theory of planned behavior include attitudes toward the behavior, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to perform the behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine the time perspective of central Appalachian adolescents and examine the relationship between time perspective and the constructs within the theory of planned behavior. A descriptive, correlational design was used to examine time perspective and the physical activity behaviors of a convenience sample of 185 central Appalachian adolescents. Data collection occurred in school. Results indicate central Appalachian adolescents are hedonistic with positive attitudes toward the past. Females were more future-oriented than males. Future oriented students were more likely to plan to attend college. Constructs within the theory of planned behavior were moderate predictors of physical activity that lasted long enough or was intense enough to produce sweat.