How valid is bandura's social cognitive theory to explain physical activity behavior?
Open accessAbstract
(1) Background: Although social cognitive theory (SCT) has been widely tested and applied in numerous interventions aimed at optimizing physical activity behavior, the complete theory has rarely been tested in its entirety. Only selected elements have been tested, and specific samples, some of them pathological, have been studied rather than the general population, for whom a lack of physical activity is a huge problem. The present study addresses these two research gaps and tests the tenability of the theoretical assumptions of SCT to explain physical activity behavior in the general population. (2) Methods: A total of 194 German adults (109 male, 85 female) with a mean age of 26.03 years (SD = 10.33) completed two validated questionnaires concerning their expressions on SCT components (t1) and their physical activity (t2). SCT was modeled using a structural equation model with latent variables. (3) Results: The results showed the very good fit of the structural model, indicating that the theoretically stated relations between the constructs in SCT seem to be corroborated, despite some paths seeming to be more important than others. (4) Conclusions: The use of SCT to explain and predict behavior can be seen as justified, even though it once again appears that some aspects (i.e., self-efficacy) are more crucial than others.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
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?
Self-monitoring, real-time feedback, and goal setting align closely with Social Cognitive Theory and self-regulation perspectives, as digital wearable devices support a closed-loop process of self-observation, comparison with goals, and behavioral adjustment.
“Self-monitoring, real-time feedback, and goal setting align closely with Social Cognitive Theory and self-regulation perspectives, as digital wearable devices support a closed-loop process of self-observation, comparison with goals, and behavioral adjustment (14, 17, 20, 27).”
From Behavior change pathways by which digital wearable devices support exercise self-management in type 2 diabetes: a scoping review with machine learning–assisted text mining (2026) · cites this paper as [27]
Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 1 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999) · Structural Equation Modeling A Multidisciplinary Journal · doi:10.1080/10705519909540118 · Cited by 108,788 · see citing works
Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change
Bandura, A. (1977) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/0033-295x.84.2.191 · Cited by 43,925 · see citing works
<b>lavaan</b> : An <i>R</i> Package for Structural Equation Modeling
Rosseel, Y. (2012) · Journal of Statistical Software · doi:10.18637/jss.v048.i02 · Cited by 27,955 · see citing works
Schermelleh-Engel, K., Moosbrugger, H., & Müller, H. (2003) · Department of Psychology - University of Koblenz-Landau · doi:10.23668/psycharchives.12784 · Cited by 8,975 · see citing works
Health Promotion by Social Cognitive Means
Bandura, A. (2004) · Health Education & Behavior · doi:10.1177/1090198104263660 · Cited by 7,238 · see citing works
Kyu, H. H., Bachman, V. F., Alexander, L. T., Mumford, J. E., Afshin, A., Estep, K., Veerman, J. L., Delwiche, K., Iannarone, M. L., Moyer, M. L., et al. (2016) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.i3857 · Cited by 1,272 · see citing works
Strain, T., Flaxman, S., Guthold, R., Semenova, E., Cowan, M., Riley, L. M., Bull, F. C., Stevens, G. A., Abdul Raheem, R., Agoudavi, K., et al. (2024) · The Lancet Global Health · doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00150-5 · Cited by 1,087 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Yet, in a recent long-term study including data from nearly two million people in 168 countries, it was evident that 31.3 percent of adults worldwide do not reach the recommended level of physical activity, and consequently are at increased health risk (Strain et al., 2024).”
InfluentialRhodes, R. E., & de Bruijn, G. (2013) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjhp.12032 · Cited by 787 · see citing works
Understanding the intention-behavior gap: The role of intention strength
Conner, M., & Norman, P. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.923464 · Cited by 509 · see citing works
Social cognitive theory and physical activity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Young, M. D., Plotnikoff, R. C., Collins, C. E., Callister, R., & Morgan, P. J. (2014) · Obesity Reviews · doi:10.1111/obr.12225 · Cited by 505 · see citing works
Stacey, F. G., James, E. L., Chapman, K. L., Courneya, K. S., & Lubans, D. R. (2014) · Journal of Cancer Survivorship · doi:10.1007/s11764-014-0413-z · Cited by 411 · see citing works
Social cognitive theory and physical activity: Mechanisms of behavior change, critique, and legacy
Beauchamp, M. R., Crawford, K. L., & Jackson, B. (2018) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.11.009 · Cited by 338 · see citing works
Wójcicki, T. R., White, S., & McAuley, E. (2009) · The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbn032 · Cited by 225 · see citing works
Feil, K., Fritsch, J., & Rhodes, R. E. (2023) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsports-2022-106640 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Tang, M. Y., Smith, D. M., Mc Sharry, J., Hann, M., & French, D. P. (2019) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1093/abm/kay090 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
The Role of Self-Efficacy and Friend Support on Adolescent Vigorous Physical Activity
Hamilton, K., Warner, L. M., & Schwarzer, R. (2016) · Health Education & Behavior · doi:10.1177/1090198116648266 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Auswirkungen von Bewegung auf die Gesundheit
Miko, H.-C., Zillmann, N., Ring‐Dimitriou, S., Dorner, T. E., Titze, S., & Bauer, R. (2020) · Das Gesundheitswesen · doi:10.1055/a-1217-0549 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Retest Reliability of Recall Measures of Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Australian Adults
Booth, M. L., Owen, N. G., Bauman, A. E., & Gore, C. J. (1996) · International Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/ije/25.1.153 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Affective and health-related outcome expectancies for physical activity in older adults
Gellert, P. R., Ziegelmann, J. P., & Schwarzer, R. (2011) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2011.607236 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Sebastian, A. T., Rajkumar, E., Tejaswini, P., et al. (2021) · Health Psychology Research · doi:10.52965/001c.24510 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Wiedenman, E. M., Kruse‐Diehr, A. J., Bice, M. R., McDaniel, J. T., Wallace, J. P., & Partridge, J. A. (2023) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2023.2177817 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Gothe, N. P. (2018) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1093/abm/kax038 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
A taxonomy of path-related goodness-of-fit indices and recommended criterion values.
Lance, C., Beck, S., Fan, Y., & Carter, N. T. (2016) · Psychological methods · doi:10.1037/met0000068 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Straßburg, A., Eisinger-Watzl, M., Krems, C., Röth, A., & Hoffmann, I. (2017) · European Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1007/s00394-017-1583-z · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Stojanovic, M., Fries, S., & Grund, A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.643753 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Choosing a health behaviour theory or model for related research projects: a narrative review
Beyera, G. K., O’Brien, J., & Campbell, S. J. (2021) · Journal of research in nursing · doi:10.1177/17449871211051566 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Young, M. D., Plotnikoff, R. C., Collins, C. E., Callister, R., & Morgan, P. J. (2015) · American Journal of Men s Health · doi:10.1177/1557988315600063 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Social cognitive theory correlates of moderate-intensity exercise among adults with type 2 diabetes
Silfee, V., & Petosa, R. L. (2015) · Psychology Health & Medicine · doi:10.1080/13548506.2015.1017510 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Sweeney, A. M., Wilson, D. K., & Horn, M. L. V. (2017) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-017-0523-x · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Tulloch, H. E., Heenan, A., Sweet, S. N., Goldfield, G. S., Kenny, G. P., Alberga, A. S., & Sigal, R. J. (2017) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105317734039 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Social Cognitive Theory and Physical Activity in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
Baird, J. F., Silveira, S. L., & Motl, R. W. (2020) · International Journal of MS Care · doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2019-071 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Auster‐Gussman, L. A., Gavin, K. L., Siddique, J., Welch, W. A., Solk, P., Whitaker, M., Cullather, E., Fanning, J. T., Maria, C. A. S., Gradishar, W. J., et al. (2021) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.5820 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Silveira, S. L., & Motl, R. W. (2019) · Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications · doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100366 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Predictors of physical activity in persons with mental illness: Testing a social cognitive model.
Zechner, M., & Gill, K. J. (2016) · Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal · doi:10.1037/prj0000191 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Taylor, L., Raine, K. D., Plotnikoff, R. C., Vallance, J. K., Sharma, A. M., & Spence, J. C. (2015) · Psychology Health & Medicine · doi:10.1080/13548506.2015.1058486 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Faking self-reports of health behavior: a comparison between a within- and a between-subjects design
Egele, V. S., Kiefer, L. H., & Stark, R. (2021) · Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1080/21642850.2021.1991803 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citationHealth Promotion from the Perspective of Social Cognitive Theory
Abraham, C., Norman, P. D., & Conner, M. T. (2013) · doi:10.4324/9781315080055-25 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Egele, V. S., & Stark, R. (2024) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2024.1508602 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Warner L. M. Schwarzer R. Sweeny K. Robbins M. L. Cohen L. M. Self-efficacy and health The wiley encyclopedia of health psychology: Volume II, the social bases of health behavior Wiley-Blackwell 2020 605 613 10.1002/9781119057840.ch11 · DOI
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Sun, W., Xie, D., Hou, W., Zhang, M., Wang, C., Wang, Z., Yang, H., Xu, G., & Dai, H. (2026) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1871682
- Authors
- Egele, V. S., Klopp, E., & Stark, R.
- Affiliations
- Saarland University (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Egele, Viktoria Sophie
- Venue
- European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2025-02-06
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 20
- ISSN
- 2174-8144 (ISSN-L)
- 2254-9625
- PMC
- PMC11854433
- OpenAlex
- W4407196004
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 20 · 2025: 10
- FWCI
- 24.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) (submittedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Keywords
- social cognitive theory, physical activity behavior, self-efficacy, theory validation, general population, adults, behavior prediction, latent variable models
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
