A Dual Process Model to predict Adolescents’ Screen Time and Physical Activity

TY - JOUR

T1 - A Dual Process Model to predict Adolescents’ Screen Time and Physical Activity

AU - Aulbach, Matthias

AU - Konntinen, Hanna

AU - Gardner, Benjamin

AU - Kujala, Emilia

AU - Araujo-Soares, Vera

AU - Sniehotta, Falko

AU - Lintunen, Tara

AU - Haukkala, Ari

AU - Hankonen, Nelli

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

PY - 2021/10/18

Y1 - 2021/10/18

N2 - Objective: Many adolescents report a lack of physical activity (PA) and excess screen time (ST). Psychological theories aiming to understand these behaviours typically focus on predictors of only one behaviour. Yet, behaviour enactment is often a choice between options. This study sought to examine predictors of PA and ST in a single model. Variables were drawn from dual process models, which portray behaviour as the outcome of deliberative and automatic processes. Design: 411 Finnish vocational school students (age 17-19) completed a survey, comprising variables from the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) and automaticity pertaining to PA and ST, and self-reported PA and ST four weeks later. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported time spent on PA and ST and their predictors. Results: PA and ST correlated negatively (r = -.17, p = .03). Structural equation modelling revealed that intentions and habit for PA predicted PA while ST was predicted by intentions and habit for ST and negatively by PA intentions. RAA-cognitions predicted intentions. Conclusion: PA and ST seem to be weakly interlinked in terms of psychological predictors. Future studies should assess more behaviours and related psychological influences to get a better picture of connections between different behaviours.

AB - Objective: Many adolescents report a lack of physical activity (PA) and excess screen time (ST). Psychological theories aiming to understand these behaviours typically focus on predictors of only one behaviour. Yet, behaviour enactment is often a choice between options. This study sought to examine predictors of PA and ST in a single model. Variables were drawn from dual process models, which portray behaviour as the outcome of deliberative and automatic processes. Design: 411 Finnish vocational school students (age 17-19) completed a survey, comprising variables from the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) and automaticity pertaining to PA and ST, and self-reported PA and ST four weeks later. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported time spent on PA and ST and their predictors. Results: PA and ST correlated negatively (r = -.17, p = .03). Structural equation modelling revealed that intentions and habit for PA predicted PA while ST was predicted by intentions and habit for ST and negatively by PA intentions. RAA-cognitions predicted intentions. Conclusion: PA and ST seem to be weakly interlinked in terms of psychological predictors. Future studies should assess more behaviours and related psychological influences to get a better picture of connections between different behaviours.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85117212275&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/08870446.2021.1988598

DO - 10.1080/08870446.2021.1988598

M3 - Article

C2 - 34662259

SN - 0887-0446

SP - 1

EP - 20

JO - Psychology & health

JF - Psychology & health

ER -