Longitudinal approaches to stages of change measurement: Effects on cognitive and behavioral physical activity factors

The transition from school to further education and work is one of immense change that impacts physical activity attitudes and engagement in adulthood. The Stages of Change (SOC) model, which resides under the transtheoretical framework, has been proposed as one way to measure and evaluate physical activity uptake and maintenance. The current research used a longitudinal design to test the critical postschool transition and explores the extent to which SOC membership and stage change predicts physical activity motivation, physical self-concept, physical flow, and physical activity across this transition. Results suggested that SOC membership at Time 1 was a significant predictor of several physical factors at Time 2. Moreover, stage change predicted change in physical activity, physical self-concept, motivation, and flow controlled for construct stability over time. These results are relevant to practitioners (e.g., counselors, psychologists, educators) operating in the school to postschool period and for whom healthy lifestyle—that encompasses physical activity—is an important focus for counseling and development.