| Pregnancy is associated with numerous physical and psychological demands that may reduce women's exercise behavior; however, the research examining women's behaviors, attitudes, and cognitions during pregnancy is scant. Consequently, there is a need for research that theoretically examines the determinants of exercising during pregnancy. The general objective of this dissertation was to examine the predictive utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in explaining pregnant women's exercise intention and behavior. In an attempt to achieve this objective, and adhere to the theory guidelines established by Ajzen and Fishbein (1980), the following three studies were conducted: (1) Study 1 was a review of 38 TPB elicitation studies with exercise behavior. (2) Study 2 was a TPB elicitation study of 74 postpartum women's beliefs about exercising during their pregnancy and postpartum. (3) Study 3 was a prospective examination of the TPB and 81 pregnant women's exercise intention and behavior from their second to their third trimester.; For Study 1, the primary findings for healthy and special populations' salient exercise beliefs were: (a) physical and psychological health (behavioral beliefs), (b) friends and family (normative beliefs), and (c) physical and psychological issues (control beliefs). For Study 2, the primary findings for women's salient beliefs about exercising during their pregnancy were: (a) overall mood (behavioral beliefs), (b) husband or fiance (normative beliefs), and (c) physical limitations and restrictions (control beliefs). The salient beliefs about exercising during postpartum were: (a) weight control (behavioral beliefs), (b) husband or fiance (normative beliefs), and (c) no time (control beliefs). For Study 3, it was found that the TPB was successful in predicting pregnant women's exercise intention and behavior. More specifically, intention was the strongest predictor of pregnant women's exercise behavior, and perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of their intention from their second to their third trimester. Implications of the results from all three studies are discussed, as well as future research directions and practical implications. |
