Using a reasoned action approach to identify determinants of organized exercise among Hispanics: a mixed-methods study

A Reasoned Action Approach to Social Connection and Mental Health: Racial Group Differences and Similarities in Attitudes, Norms, and Intentions

This study employed a Reasoned Action Approach to investigate two communication behaviors that were being built into a statewide behavioral health campaign: initiating a conversation about one's own mental health struggles, and starting a conversation to discuss someone else's mental health difficulties. We examined whether the extent of attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding intent to perform these behaviors varied by racial identity. Using original survey data from Texans (N = 2,033), we conducted regression analyses for the two communication behaviors and found that intention to seek help was primarily explained by instrumental attitude, injunctive norm, descriptive norm, and perceived capacity; and intention to start a conversation to help someone else was primarily explained by instrumental attitude, injunctive norm, and perceived capacity. Additionally, we identified important common and distinct determinants of the two behaviors across different racial groups. Implications for health communication campaign message development and audience segmentation are discussed.

Identifying Factors That Influence Physical Activity and Healthy Aging Among Older Latino Adults

BACKGROUND

For older Latinos, some benefits of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) include enhanced cognitive functioning, decreased loneliness, and reduced premature mortality. Despite LTPA benefits, adults ≥50 years are one of the most inactive age groups in the United States.

METHODS

This qualitative study aimed to add to the limited evidence of LTPA in older Latino adults by exploring the barriers and facilitators for fitness class uptake and park use. Guided by a Social-Ecological Model of Health and Social Determinants of Health theoretical and a phenomenological research design, qualitative research data were collected via 27 personal interviews with Latino adults using a semistructured interview guide. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling strategies in collaboration with community partners. Bicultural data collectors conducted the semistructured interviews over Zoom. Thematic analysis was performed using Dedoose, following an inductive and deductive approach.

RESULTS

The main barriers to fitness class attendance and park use were family and/or work commitments, perceived safety, and perceived discrimination. Conversely, the critical facilitators for participation were socialization into a group, social connectedness with group members, fitness instructor characteristics, and exercise history.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study hold important implications for the design of fitness programming and park-based recreation, including the need to increase the cultural diversity of recreation staff and culturally relevant programming. Future research is needed on time poverty related to family/work commitments and whether discriminatory practices at fitness centers, like ageism and race/ethnicity, influence physical activity behavior.

Reasoned Action Approach Correlates of Physical Activity Among African American Men Living With HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced incidence of chronic diseases. However, little is known about the predictors of PA among African American men living with HIV. We report secondary analyses examining the strength of the relationships between the reasoned action approach constructs, attitude, subjective norm, descriptive norm, and self-efficacy and intention to exercise and self-reported adherence to Department of Health and Human Services PA guidelines using baseline data from a trial of a PA intervention with 302 African American men, between 40 and 88 years of age (M = 53.9; SD = 7.2) living with HIV. Multiple regression revealed that attitude, subjective norm, and self-efficacy were positively associated with intention. Logistic regression revealed higher odds of meeting PA guidelines as self-efficacy increased. Self-efficacy and descriptive norm predicted meeting the aerobic guideline. Self-efficacy predicted meeting the muscle-strengthening guideline. Interventions targeting reasoned action approach variables may contribute to efforts to improve PA among African American men living with HIV.

If we offer, will they come: Perceptions of yoga among Hispanics

OBJECTIVE

Yoga is underutilized by the Hispanics. This study examined perceptions of benefits and barriers to yoga among Hispanic adults, to provide information that may increase their participation in this practice.

SETTING

Participants were recruited from a Community Center serving low-income Hispanics.

DESIGN

Self-administered cross-sectional questionnaires assessing benefits and barriers to yoga were conducted in Spanish and English. Fisher's exact test was used to examine perceptions of yoga by gender, age, and prior experience.

RESULTS

Participants (ages 18-85, 65 % women, n = 121) reported several benefits to yoga. Hispanic women, individuals 65 y or older, and those with prior experience, perceived more benefits. Barriers to yoga also differed by demographics. Men reported that time and the perception that they would have to do unrealistic pretzel-like poses as deterrents to yoga practice; younger individuals perceived yoga to be boring, and those with no experience perceived lack of flexibility and feeling like an outsider in class, as barriers to yoga. The most common barrier, across subgroups, was the cost associated with yoga practice. The majority of participants reported being willing to attend yoga classes if offered at a low cost.

CONCLUSION

Perceived barriers related to yoga reflect a lack of knowledge about yoga and what it entails and the cost of classes. Despite these barriers, Hispanic adults from a low-income population said they would be willing to attend yoga classes if offered at a low cost. Understanding and addressing these barriers can help researchers and health practitioners improve diversity in yoga classes and research.