Stephen Miller M.A. Division of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences, Claremont Graduate University Factors Associated With Higher Levels of Health Self Efficacy Introduction Health self-efficacy is a belief in one’s own ability to effectively manage their health through purposive behavior. Following from Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1995) the primary way self-efficacy is increased in any domain is through “mastery experiences”. It is possible that previous participation in organized sports could serve as a mastery experience for exercise behavior specifically and health self-efficacy generally. However, not everyone who participates in organized sports continues to be physically active. This suggests that perhaps not all organized sports experiences qualify as “mastery experiences”. Therefore, it is proposed that the “quality of experience” with organized sports as perceived by the individual will be an important factor in predicting exercise behavior and health self- efficacy. Introduction Health self-efficacy is a belief in one’s own ability to effectively manage their health through purposive behavior. Following from Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1995) the primary way self-efficacy is increased in any domain is through “mastery experiences”. It is possible that previous participation in organized sports could serve as a mastery experience for exercise behavior specifically and health self-efficacy generally. However, not everyone who participates in organized sports continues to be physically active. This suggests that perhaps not all organized sports experiences qualify as “mastery experiences”. Therefore, it is proposed that the “quality of experience” with organized sports as perceived by the individual will be an important factor in predicting exercise behavior and health self- efficacy. Methods A total of 196 participants completed a survey on health behaviors. Key predictor variables: Key outcome variables: Previous participation in organized sports Behavioral intentions to exercise Quality of experience in organized sports : Current exercise behavior Health Self-Efficacy Methods A total of 196 participants completed a survey on health behaviors. Key predictor variables: Key outcome variables: Previous participation in organized sports Behavioral intentions to exercise Quality of experience in organized sports : Current exercise behavior Health Self-Efficacy Discussion The pattern of results in this study provides evidence for the notion that there is a significant difference between people who had a high versus low quality of experience with organized sports. Specifically, people who had a high quality of experience with organized sports had stronger exercise intentions, exercised more hours per week, and had higher levels of health self-efficacy. Further, there was no statistically significant difference between people who had a low quality of experience with organized sports and people who never played organized sports at all with regards to any of the three health related outcome variables. Future Research Research investigations should further examine the relationship between “quality of experience” and “mastery experiences” as delineated in Social Cognitive Theory. This should help to most accurately determine those experiences that are likely to lead to an increase in health self-efficacy. Longitudinal work on organized sports participation and subsequent health behavior should be evaluated at least in part on the quality of experience as reported on by the participants themselves. This would allow for identification of those factors that link a high quality of experience with increases in health self-efficacy. Discussion The pattern of results in this study provides evidence for the notion that there is a significant difference between people who had a high versus low quality of experience with organized sports. Specifically, people who had a high quality of experience with organized sports had stronger exercise intentions, exercised more hours per week, and had higher levels of health self-efficacy. Further, there was no statistically significant difference between people who had a low quality of experience with organized sports and people who never played organized sports at all with regards to any of the three health related outcome variables. Future Research Research investigations should further examine the relationship between “quality of experience” and “mastery experiences” as delineated in Social Cognitive Theory. This should help to most accurately determine those experiences that are likely to lead to an increase in health self-efficacy. Longitudinal work on organized sports participation and subsequent health behavior should be evaluated at least in part on the quality of experience as reported on by the participants themselves. This would allow for identification of those factors that link a high quality of experience with increases in health self-efficacy. Hypothesis There will be a positive benefit of having participated in organized sports on health behaviors. Specifically, for subjects who have participated in organized sports there will be a significant difference between those who report a “high” quality of experience versus those who report a “low” quality of experience such that subjects who report a “high” quality of experience will have higher levels of health self-efficacy, stronger exercise intentions, and will exercise more hours per week than subjects who have played an organized sport but report a “low” quality of experience. Hypothesis There will be a positive benefit of having participated in organized sports on health behaviors. Specifically, for subjects who have participated in organized sports there will be a significant difference between those who report a “high” quality of experience versus those who report a “low” quality of experience such that subjects who report a “high” quality of experience will have higher levels of health self-efficacy, stronger exercise intentions, and will exercise more hours per week than subjects who have played an organized sport but report a “low” quality of experience. Results The three “Quality of Experience” items showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.80) such that a median split on a composite variable served to create “High” and “Low” quality of experience groups. A MANOVA was run on the three groups and significant differences were found on all three outcome variables. Post Hoc analysis revealed that the “High QoE” subjects reported significantly higher levels of health self-efficacy and more hours of exercise per week than both the “Never Played” and the “Low QoE” subjects. Results on exercise intentions, revealed a similar pattern, however there was only a significant difference between the “High QoE” and the “Never Played” subjects. Table 1. Health self-efficacy, Exercise Intentions, and Hours of Exercise per week by experience with organized sport status. Note: n = 195, * p <.05, **p <.01 Results The three “Quality of Experience” items showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.80) such that a median split on a composite variable served to create “High” and “Low” quality of experience groups. A MANOVA was run on the three groups and significant differences were found on all three outcome variables. Post Hoc analysis revealed that the “High QoE” subjects reported significantly higher levels of health self-efficacy and more hours of exercise per week than both the “Never Played” and the “Low QoE” subjects. Results on exercise intentions, revealed a similar pattern, however there was only a significant difference between the “High QoE” and the “Never Played” subjects. Table 1. Health self-efficacy, Exercise Intentions, and Hours of Exercise per week by experience with organized sport status. Note: n = 195, * p <.05, **p <.01 Never Played (n = 75)Played QoE – Lo (n = 60)Played QoE – Hi (n = 60) MeasureMeanSEMeanSEMeanSEF Health Self Efficacy * Exercise Intentions * Hours of Exercise per week ** Contact Information: Contact Information: IdentityEnjoyment Ability Quality of Experience Organized Sports Participation Health Related Outcomes