Date on Senior Honors Thesis
5-2018
Document Type
Senior Honors Thesis
Degree Name
B.A.
Department
Psychological and Brain Sciences
Author's Keywords
mindfulness; exercise motivation; exercise self-efficacy; intrinsic motivation; extrinsic motivation
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate how exercise self-efficacy and self-reported mindfulness are related to motivation to be physically active. Investigating mindfulness in the field of exercise is at an early stage, and our findings may help bridge the gap between mindfulness and the lack of regular physical activity in the United States. Our initial hypothesis replicated an existing relationship between exercise self-efficacy and exercise motivation. Next, we hypothesized that mindfulness would be positively correlated with exercise motivation. Third, we predicted that mindfulness would be positively correlated with exercise self-efficacy. Finally, we hypothesized that intrinsic motivation (a type of exercise motivation) would mediate the relationship between mindfulness and self-efficacy. Undergraduate students (n=188) participated in the study administered online in questionnaire format to assess levels of self-report mindfulness, self-report self-efficacy, and self-report exercise motivation. Statistical analyses supported all four hypotheses Collectively, these results suggest that mindfulness does play a role in exercise motivation that is independent to some degree of exercise self-efficacy.
Recommended Citation
Neace, Savannah M., "Exploring the role of mindfulness in the established relationship between self-efficacy and exercise motivation." (2018). College of Arts & Sciences Senior Honors Theses. Paper 163.
Retrieved from https://ir.library.louisville.edu/honors/163
Lay Summary
Only 5 percent of the U.S. population gets the recommended amount of exercise per day despite empirical evidence pertaining to the benefits of daily physical activity. There is a need to find ways to get people motivated to exercise and get physically active. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of mindfulness as a potential correlate to exercise motivation. Mindfulness in the field of exercise is novel yet promising. It has been proven in research that exercise motivation is positively associated with exercise self-efficacy; moreover, we take the research a step further and explore the role of mindfulness in the established relationship between self-efficacy and exercise motivation. In this study, participants were given self-report questionnaires to determine levels of mindfulness, exercise self-efficacy, and exercise motivation. The main question is to see the relationship mindfulness has with exercise self-efficacy and exercise motivation.
