How to Tackle Key Challenges in the Promotion of Physical Activity among Older Adults (65+): The AEQUIPA Network Approach

To gain population norms for the short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF36) in a large community sample and to explore the questionnaire's internal consistency and validity. Postal survey by using a booklet containing the SF36 and several other items concerned with lifestyles and illness. The sample was drawn from computerised registers of the family health services authorities for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, and Oxfordshire. 13,042 randomly selected subjects aged 18-64 years. Scores for the eight health dimensions of the SF36. The survey achieved a response rate of 72% (n = 9332). Internal consistency of the different dimensions of the questionnaire was high. Normative data broken down by age, sex, and social class were consistent with those from previous studies. The SF36 is a potentially valuable tool in medical research. The normative data provided here may further facilitate its validation and use.

The present article presents an overview of theoretical constructs and mechanisms of health behavior change that have been found useful in research on people with chronic illness and disability. A self-regulation framework (Health Action Process Approach) serves as a backdrop, making a distinction between goal setting and goal pursuit. Risk perception, outcome expectancies, and task self-efficacy are seen as predisposing factors in the goal-setting (motivational) phase, whereas planning, action control, and maintenance/recovery self-efficacy are regarded as being influential in the subsequent goal-pursuit (volitional) phase. The first phase leads to forming an intention, and the second to actual behavior change. Such a mediator model serves to explain social-cognitive processes in health behavior change. By adding a second layer, a moderator model is provided in which three stages are distinguished to segment the audience for tailored interventions. Identifying persons as preintenders, intenders, or actors offers an opportunity to match theory-based treatments to specific target groups. Numerous research and assessment examples, especially within the physical activity domain, serve to illustrate the application of the model to rehabilitation settings and health promotion for people with chronic illness or disability. The theoretical developments and research evidence for the self-regulation framework explain the cognitive mechanisms of behavior change and adherence to treatment in the rehabilitation setting.