Degree Name

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Program

Nursing

Date of Award

12-2011

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Joy Wachs

Committee Members

Sadie Hutson, Robert Pack, Linda Garrett

Abstract

Obesity and inactivity are prevalent among central Appalachian adolescents. Appalachian residents have been labeled "fatalistic," a time perspective unsupportive of health-promoting behaviors such as regular participation in physical activity. The theory of planned behavior has been used extensively to explain the physical activity behaviors of adolescents. Constructs within the theory of planned behavior include attitudes toward the behavior, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to perform the behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine the time perspective of central Appalachian adolescents and examine the relationship between time perspective and the constructs within the theory of planned behavior. A descriptive, correlational design was used to examine time perspective and the physical activity behaviors of a convenience sample of 185 central Appalachian adolescents. Data collection occurred in school. Results indicate central Appalachian adolescents are hedonistic with positive attitudes toward the past. Females were more future-oriented than males. Future oriented students were more likely to plan to attend college. Constructs within the theory of planned behavior were moderate predictors of physical activity that lasted long enough or was intense enough to produce sweat.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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