Adult Active Transportation
Abstract
Background Many health behaviors have a history of repetition and, as a result, may become habitual. Because including a measure of habit strength may add depth to current theoretical models on health behavior, the present study explored the issue of habit strength within the context of the theory of planned behavior regarding adult bicycle use as a means of transportation.Methods Cross-sectional data were gathered in a Dutch adult sample (n=317; mean age=42.09 years; 46.7% men) in 2006 using self-administered questionnaires. Variables for the theory of planned behavior were assessed regarding bicycle use as a means of transportation; habit strength regarding bicycle use as a means of transportation was assessed with the validated Self-Reported Habit Index. Hierarchical regression analyses and interaction analyses using simple slope analyses were conducted.Results After controlling for variables for the theory of planned behavior, habit strength was the strongest predictor of bicycle use. In addition, simple slope analyses based on a significant interaction term, intention x habit, showed that intention was a significant predictor of bicycle use among those at low levels of habit strength for bicycle use (beta=0.67, p<0.001) but a weaker and nonsignificant predictor at high levels of habit strength (beta=0.10, p=0.136).Conclusions Habit strength is a moderator of the intention-behavior relationship regarding bicycle use, with intention becoming less relevant when bicycle use increases in habit strength. Future determinant and intervention studies on physical activity may benefit from including a measure of habit strength--for instance, by identifying the differential effects of informational and environmental interventions.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
De Bruijn et al. [40] reported that intentions had no relationship with behaviour where habit was strong.
“De Bruijn et al. [40] reported that intentions had no relationship with behaviour where habit was strong.”
From A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Applications of the Self-Report Habit Index to Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviours (2011) · cites this paper as [40]
In both active travel studies, beta weights for intentions decreased as habit strength increased.
“In both studies, beta weights for intentions decreased as habit strength increased ([29] (study 2); [40]), though Gardner ([29] study 2) found that intention to commute by bicycle did not predict behaviour at any level of habit.”
From A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Applications of the Self-Report Habit Index to Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviours (2011) · cites this paper as [40]
Cites
The theory of planned behavior
Ajzen, I. (1991) · Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes · doi:10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-t · Cited by 90,587 · see citing works
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (1983) · Cited by 79,888 · see citing works
Multiple regression: testing and interpreting interactions
(1992) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.29-3352 · Cited by 36,644 · see citing works
International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity
CRAIG, C. L., MARSHALL, A. L., SJ??STR??M, M., BAUMAN, A. E., BOOTH, M. L., AINSWORTH, B. E., PRATT, M., EKELUND, U., YNGVE, A., SALLIS, J. F., et al. (2003) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000078924.61453.fb · Cited by 21,619 · see citing works
Chakravarti, D., Eagly, A. H., & Chaiken, S. (1997) · Journal of Marketing Research · doi:10.2307/3151869 · Cited by 7,169 · see citing works
HASKELL, W. L., LEE, I.-M., PATE, R. R., POWELL, K. E., BLAIR, S. N., FRANKLIN, B. A., MACERA, C. A., HEATH, G. W., THOMPSON, P. D., & BAUMAN, A. (2007) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e3180616b27 · Cited by 4,616 · see citing works
The unbearable automaticity of being
Bargh, J. A., & Chartrand, T. L. (1999) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.54.7.462 · Cited by 3,699 · see citing works
Ouellette, J. A., & Wood, W. (1998) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.124.1.54 · Cited by 3,480 · see citing works
Saelens, B. E., Sallis, J. F., & Frank, L. D. (2003) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1207/s15324796abm2502_03 · Cited by 2,285 · see citing works
Reflections on Past Behavior: A Self‐Report Index of Habit Strength <sup>1</sup>
Verplanken, B., & Orbell, S. (2003) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2003.tb01951.x · Cited by 2,030 · see citing works
How the built environment affects physical activity
Handy, S., Boarnet, M. G., Ewing, R., & Killingsworth, R. E. (2002) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0749-3797(02)00475-0 · Cited by 1,920 · see citing works
Values, attitudes, and interpersonal behavior.
Triandis, H. C. (1980) · PubMed · Cited by 1,414 · see citing works
Understanding environmental influences on walking
Owen, N. G., Humpel, N., Leslie, E. R., Bauman, A. E., & Sallis, J. F. (2004) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2004.03.006 · Cited by 1,307 · see citing works
Residual Effects of Past on Later Behavior: Habituation and Reasoned Action Perspectives
Ajzen, I. (2002) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr0602_02 · Cited by 1,249 · see citing works
Interventions to Break and Create Consumer Habits
Verplanken, B., & Wood, W. (2006) · Journal of Public Policy & Marketing · doi:10.1509/jppm.25.1.90 · Cited by 1,221 · see citing works
Verplanken, B., & Aarts, H. (1999) · European Review of Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/14792779943000035 · Cited by 1,056 · see citing works
Manson, J. E., Hu, F. B., Rich-Edwards, J. W., Colditz, G. A., Stampfer, M. J., Willett, W. C., Speizer, F. E., & Hennekens, C. H. (1999) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm199908263410904 · Cited by 1,005 · see citing works
Predicting Behavior From Actions in the Past: Repeated Decision Making or a Matter of Habit?
Aarts, H., Verplanken, B., & van Knippenberg, A. (1998) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.1998.tb01681.x · Cited by 926 · see citing works
Mediating variable framework in physical activity interventions
Baranowski, T., Anderson, C. B., & Carmack, C. L. (1998) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0749-3797(98)00080-4 · Cited by 848 · see citing works
Developing a framework for assessment of the environmental determinants of walking and cycling
Pikora, T., Giles‐Corti, B., Bull, F., Jamrozik, K. D., & Donovan, R. (2003) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00163-6 · Cited by 750 · see citing works
Are Current Health Behavioral Change Models Helpful in Guiding Prevention of Weight Gain Efforts?
Baranowski, T., Cullen, K. W., Nicklas, T. A., Thompson, D., & Baranowski, J. C. (2003) · Obesity Research · doi:10.1038/oby.2003.222 · Cited by 715 · see citing works
Giles‐Corti, B., & Donovan, R. J. (2003) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.93.9.1583 · Cited by 607 · see citing works
Environmental influences on energy balance-related behaviors: A dual-process view
Kremers, S. P., de Bruijn, G.-J., Visscher, T. L., van Mechelen, W., de Vries, N. K., & Brug, J. (2006) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/1479-5868-3-9 · Cited by 552 · see citing works
Self-citationExploring the effect of the environment on physical activity
Craig, C. L., Brownson, R. C., Cragg, S. E., & Dunn, A. L. (2002) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0749-3797(02)00472-5 · Cited by 369 · see citing works
The Routines of Decision Making
Sinclair, M. (2008) · Ergonomics · doi:10.1080/00140130701223733 · Cited by 333 · see citing works
Habit and information use in travel mode choices
Aarts, H., Verplanken, B., & van Knippenberg, A. (1997) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/s0001-6918(97)00008-5 · Cited by 326 · see citing works
THE AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION OF GOAL-DIRECTED BEHAVIOUR: THE CASE OF TRAVEL HABIT
Aarts, H., & Dijksterhuis, A. (2000) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1006/jevp.1999.0156 · Cited by 293 · see citing works
Pattern and intensity of physical activity
Westerterp, K. R. (2001) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35069142 · Cited by 267 · see citing works
Reinaerts, E., de Nooijer, J., Candel, M. J. J. M., & de Vries, N. K. (2006) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2006.09.007 · Cited by 213 · see citing works
The Routines of Decision Making
(2014) · Psychology Press eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781410611826 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
Predicting Fruit Consumption: Cognitions, Intention, and Habits
Brug, J., de Vet, E., de Nooijer, J., & Verplanken, B. (2006) · Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2005.11.027 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
De Bruijn, G.-J., Kremers, S. P. J., De Vet, E., De Nooijer, J., Van Mechelen, W., & Brug, J. (2007) · Psychology & Health · doi:10.1080/14768320601176113 · Cited by 182 · see citing works
Self-citationImpact of an Australian mass media campaign targeting physical activity in 1998
Bauman, A. E., Bellew, B., Owen, N. G., & Vita, P. (2001) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0749-3797(01)00313-0 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Merom, D., Bauman, A. E., Vita, P., & Close, G. (2003) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0091-7435(02)00025-7 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Determinants of adolescent bicycle use for transportation and snacking behavior
de Bruijn, G., Kremers, S., Schaalma, H. P., van Mechelen, W., & Brug, J. (2004) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.09.003 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Self-citationThe goal‐dependent automaticity of drinking habits
Sheeran, P., Aarts, H., Ruud Custers, A., Rivis, A., Webb, T. L., & Cooke, R. W. I. (2005) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1348/014466604x23446 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Rebar, A. L., Gardner, B., Rhodes, R. E., & Verplanken, B. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-97529-0_3 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Physical activity and dietary fiber determine population body fat levels: the Seven Countries Study
for the Seven Countries Study Group, Kromhout, D., Bloemberg, B. P. M., Seidell, J. C., Nissinen, A. M., & Menotti, A. (2001) · International Journal of Obesity · doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0801568 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Response Bias and the Theory of Reasoned Action
Budd, R. J. (1987) · Social Cognition · doi:10.1521/soco.1987.5.2.95 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Active Transportation Increases Adherence to Activity Recommendations
Berrigan, D. A., Troiano, R. P., McNeel, T. S., DiSogra, C., & Ballard-Barbash, R. R. (2006) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2006.04.007 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Moderators of Environmental Intervention Effects on Diet and Activity in Youth
Kremers, S., de Bruijn, G., Droomers, M., van Lenthe, F. J., & Brug, J. (2006) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2006.10.006 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Self-citationSchenau, G. J. V. I. (1988) · Human Movement Science · doi:10.1016/0167-9457(88)90006-1 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Cognitive Determinants of Energy Balance-Related Behaviours
Kremers, S., Visscher, T. L. S., Seidell, J. C., van Mechelen, W., & Brug, J. (2005) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.2165/00007256-200535110-00001 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Self-citationde Bruijn, G.-J., Kroeze, W., Oenema, A., & Brug, J. (2008) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2008.03.012 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Self-citationAmsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study (AGAHLS)
Kemper, H. C. G. (2003) · Medicine and sport science/Medicine and sport · doi:10.1159/isbn.978-3-318-01029-9 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Habit Strength of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among Children and Adolescents
Kremers, S. P. J., & Brug, J. (2008) · Pediatric Exercise Science · doi:10.1123/pes.20.1.5 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationMerom, D., Miller, Y. D., Lymer, S. J., et al. (2005) · American Journal of Health Promotion · doi:10.4278/0890-1171-19.3.159 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Eisenmann, J. C. (2004) · American Journal of Human Biology · doi:10.1002/ajhb.20033 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Kemper, H. C. G., Stasse-Wolthuis, M., & Bosman, W. (2004) · PubMed · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Gardner, B. (2015) · Health Psychology Review · doi:10.1080/17437199.2013.876238 · Cited by 1,016 · see citing works
Gardner, B., de Bruijn, G.-J., & Lally, P. (2011) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12160-011-9282-0 · Cited by 574 · see citing works
de Bruijn, G.-J. (2010) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2009.08.007 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Rhodes, R., de Bruijn, G.-J., & Matheson, D. H. (2010) · Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1123/jsep.32.1.84 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Beeken, R. J., Croker, H., Morris, S., Leurent, B., Omar, R., Nazareth, I., & Wardle, J. (2012) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-667 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
- Authors
- de Bruijn, G.-J., Kremers, S. P. J., Singh, A., van den Putte, B., & van Mechelen, W.
- Affiliations
- Maastricht University (NL)
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
- Venue
- American Journal of Preventive Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-03
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 189-194
- ISSN
- 0749-3797 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1857049811
- Cited by
- 199
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 15.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (publishedVersion)
- Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion)
- Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Transportation › Urban Transport and Accessibility
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Environmental Education and Sustainability
- Keywords
- habit strength, theory of planned behavior, cycling, active travel, physical activity, behavioral intention, intention-behavior relationship, health behavior change
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Attitude to Health, Bicycling, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Netherlands, Psychological Theory, Surveys and Questionnaires, Regression Analysis, Transportation, Health Behavior
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
