Social support, knowledge, and self-efficacy as correlates of osteoporosis preventive behaviors among preadolescent females

• Published in: Journal of pediatric psychology Vol. 28; no. 5; pp. 335 - 345
• Main Authors: LEVERS-LANDIS, Carolyn E, BURANT, Christopher, DROTAR, Dennis, MORGAN, Larissa, TRAPL, Erika S, KWOH, C. Kent
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta, GA Oxford University Press 01.07.2003
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Child; Cognition; Female; Health Behavior; Health Promotion; Humans; Medical sciences; Motor Activity; Osteoporosis - prevention & control; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Self Efficacy; Social Support; Specific populations (family, woman, child, elderly...); Weight-Bearing; Physical exercise; weight-bearing physical activity; Calcium; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Bone disease; calcium intake; Knowledge; Prevention; Osteoporosis; Theoretical model; self-efficacy; Self efficacy; Female; Child; Public health; Human; Attitude; Prediction; Personality; Preadolescent; Social cognition; Cognitive theory; School age; Food intake; Social support
• ISSN: 0146-8693; 1465-735X; 1465-735X
• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsg023

To develop and test a model based on Bandura's social cognitive theory to predict healthy lifestyle behaviors for the prevention of osteoporosis. Participants were 354 girls, ages 8-11 years, recruited from area Girl Scout troops. Baseline data from a randomized trial of behavioral interventions are presented. Measures of social support, knowledge, self-efficacy, dietary calcium intake, and weight-bearing physical activity (WBPA) were obtained via interviews and self-administered questionnaires. A structural equation model was tested and fit the data well. Family social support, perceived self-efficacy for eating a calcium-rich diet, and knowledge of WBPA significantly predicted calcium intake. Friend and family support for exercise predicted WBPA. Self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between family support and calcium intake, as confirmed by Holmbeck's post-hoc probing strategy (2002). Suggestions are made for primary prevention interventions such as parent and peer involvement, health education, and problem-solving training.