Examination of the relationship between affect, values, and physical activity among cancer survivors

Cancer survivors are more at risk for physical and psychological health problems than the general population. Regular aerobic physical activity can mitigate these risks, but survivors frequently fail to engage in recommended levels of physical activity. In the present study, we propose and test a moderated-mediation model of physical activity of cancer survivors based on contextual behavioral models. First, we predict that value-based motivation is a determinant of greater aerobic physical activity in cancer survivors. Second, integrating contextual behavioral theory with recent health behavior studies, we predict that affective associations with physical activity statistically mediate the relationship between value-based motivation and physical activity. Finally, we predict that internal barriers (e.g., psychological inflexibility) that impede survivors’ ability to engage in physical activity moderate the link between affective associations and physical activity. To test these predictions, 108 cancer survivors completed self-report measures assessing value-based motivation, affective associations with physical activity, psychological inflexibility, and physical activity in a cross-sectional study. The results supported the moderated-mediation model. Specifically, value-based motivation significantly predicted physical activity estimates and positive affective associations statistically mediated this relationship. Further, the link between affective associations and physical activity estimates was moderated by psychological inflexibility. This initial study provides insights into the variables and processes involved in the engagement of aerobic physical activity in cancer survivors and suggests the relevance of acceptance-based behavioral treatments for this population.

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