Links between personality, time perspective and intention to practice physical activity during cancer treatment: an exploratory study

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of the study was to analyze links between personality, time perspective and intention to practice physical activity during cancer treatment.

Method

143 patients participated in survey by questionnaire. Intention to practice physical activity, time perspective using Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, and personality with the Big Five Inventory were measured. Structural equation models using Lisrel were developed to examine hypothetical links between the variables.

Results

The adjusted model evidenced an excellent fit (Comparative fit index (CFI) = .92; Root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA) = .076; p value = .014). Results showed that intention to practice exercise was positively linked with openness to experience and negatively with present fatalist time perspective. Moreover, conscientiousness and neuroticism were found to be linked with future time perspective, which was positively related with intention to practice physical activity.

Conclusion

The present exploratory study with patients suffering from cancer underlined the importance of considering jointly time perspective dimensions and personality factors for health behavior recommendations. Based on our results, we propose some reflections on practice to help nurses and physicians increase patient's motivation to be physically active. Taking into account patients' personality and time perspective, we would be able to propose specific awareness messages and offer short interventions to have an impact on patients' motivation to practice.

from Cancer via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/21oyWYZ
via IFTTT