Associations Between Implicit Beliefs and Physical Activity Motivation Among Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast cancer (BC) survivors may improve their health outcomes by engaging in moderate levels physical activity (PA), but they often lack motivation to be active. Previous research has focused on the use of wearable activity monitors to increase PA; yet sustained use of these tools is problematic. Enhancing activity monitor data with person-relevant motivational feedback may help maintain PA. Currently, little is known regarding the effect personality differences may have on PA behavior, particularly people’s implicit beliefs about PA. Research suggests that implicit beliefs differ in two ways: some believe that their ability to perform PA is fixed while others believe that it can change and improve. In the proposed study, we will examine inactive BC survivors’ implicit beliefs regarding their PA. In addition, additional psychometric aspects will be examined such as motivation and exercise identity using validated assessment tools. The goals of this research are to understand the themes and concepts that emerge in the reflections of inactive BC survivors participating in a PA study, characterize the implicit beliefs about PA among inactive BC survivors, and examine associations between implicit beliefs and other variables related to PA behavior, specifically exercise identity and motivation. These analyses will identify targets for future PA interventions in BC survivors, hopefully optimizing these interventions to allow sustained routine long-term PA behavior in this population as well as others.