337
Views
17
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Articles

Depressive symptoms interfere with post-rehabilitation exercise: Outcome expectancies and experience as mediators

, , &
Pages 698-708 | Received 04 Aug 2011, Accepted 25 Jan 2012, Published online: 15 Mar 2012
 

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and physical exercise by unveiling how outcome expectancies regarding exercise and positive exercise experience could mediate between depressive symptoms and exercise. A longitudinal study included 178 cardiac and orthopedic rehabilitation patients in Germany. Patients responded to psychometric scales at two points in time with a six-week interval, assessing depressive symptoms (Time 1), outcome expectancies regarding exercise (Time 1), exercise experiences (Time 2), and exercise behavior (Times 1 and 2). Depressive symptoms were negatively related to physical exercise (r =− 0.18), to positive outcome expectancies (r =− 0.23), and to positive exercise experiences (r =− 0.26). In a multiple-step mediation model, expectancies and experiences mediated between depressive symptoms and exercise. In total, 15% of the exercise variance was accounted for. Outcome expectancies and a lack of positive experience seem to partly explain why depressed individuals are less likely to exercise.

Acknowledgements

This work has been funded by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (DRV; German Pension Insurance) within the project FABA (Project ID 8011-106-31/31.91). The authors thank the rehabilitation clinics and its patients for participating in this study. We especially appreciate the support by Mrs. Pimmer, Dr Kiwus, Dr Glatz, Dr Milse, and Dr Johnigk.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.