The relationship of self-efficacy, time management behavior, interrole conflict, and number and ages of children in the household to physical activity in working mothers

Current public health recommendations call for moderate physical activity to reduce chronic disease risk and to maintain or improve overall health. However, the majority of Americans do not follow these recommendations, citing lack of time as the primary reason for inactivity. As they juggle multiple responsibilities, women who are working full-time and raising children face barriers to engaging in regular physical activity. This population is increasingly vulnerable to the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. The influence of self-efficacy, time management behavior, and interrole conflict on physical activity in a diverse population of working mothers has not been examined in the nursing or related health-care literature.; The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of selected variables on physical activity in working mothers. The variables were: (a) self-efficacy, (b) time management behavior (perceived control of time, setting goals and priorities, and mechanics of time management), (c) interrole conflict (work-family and family-work conflict), and (d) number and ages of children in the household. The dependent variable was physical activity. Pender's (1996) Health Promotion Model (HPM) provided the theoretical framework for this study.; A descriptive correlational design was used. The sample consisted of 110 working mothers employed by a county government in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Data collection instruments included a Background Data Form, the Barriers Specific Self-Efficacy Scale, the Time Management Measure, the Work-Family and Family-Work Conflict Scales, and the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey.; Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic data. Using hierarchical regression analysis, eight hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesis, which tested the relationship between self-efficacy and physical activity, was supported. Self-efficacy explained 23.9% of the variance in physical activity. This finding is supportive of self-efficacy as a direct facilitator of physical activity as conceptualized in the HPM. The other independent variables; time management behavior, interrole conflict, and number and ages of children, explained only an additional 4.8% of the variance.; Other findings included significant relationships between self-efficacy and setting goals/priorities, and self-efficacy and work-family conflict. Findings from this study can be used by nurses and other health promotion professionals to design individual or worksite interventions.