The influence of perceived loci of control and causality in the theory of planned behavior in a leisure-time exercise context

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the contribution of generalized locus of control and perceived locus of causality to intentions to participate in leisure-time physical activity in adolescents. A mediational model was proposed that included constructs from three theoretical approaches: locus of control (Connell, 1985), self-determination theory (SDT; Deci and Ryan, 1985), and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1985). Methods: Adolescent school children (N=1190; 574 girls, 616 boys) completed measures of locus of control from internal, powerful others and unknown sources, intrinsic motives, introjected regulation, and external regulation from SDT, and intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control from the TPB. Results: Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. A reasonably fitting model (CFI = 0.935, RMSEA = 0.040) testing study hypotheses revealed that the effects of generalized locus of control on attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions to participate in physical activity were mediated by intrinsic motives from SDT. Conclusions: Present findings provide evidence in support of a motivational sequence in which general locus of control influences situation-specific attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions mediated by the context-specific motives from SDT. This suggest that there are both proximal and distal antecedents of physical activity intentions, which must be accounted for in health psychology interventions.