ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

The study identified the physical activity distribution among a random sample of Korean adolescents and investigated relationship of self-efficacy and social norms with physical activity. Participants included 488 students enrolled in 7th to 10th grade (Male: 150, Female: 100, Mage = 14.28, SD = ± 0.96). Three Korean-version questionnaires were used to explore a possible association of self-efficacy and social norms with physical activity among adolescents. Crosstab analysis, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed to analyze data. Results indicated that the physical activity pattern of Korean adolescents was different by each stage of physical activity: precontemplation (16.3%), contemplation (18.7%), preparation (28.8%), action (19.4%), and maintenance (18.8%). Significant distribution emerged as a function of gender. In addition, the findings revealed that self-efficacy and peer norms were significantly correlated with physical activity. The findings suggested that the health promotion strategy aimed at increasing adolescents’ physical activity should be designed to foster self-efficacy and peer norms relating to physical activity