The Effect of a Physical Activity Program Using WhatsApp on Adolescents’ Exercise Behavior

Ceylan F., EROL S.

Journal of School Nursing, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/10598405221132207
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of School Nursing
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: physical activity, adolescent, transtheoretical model, WhatsApp, exercising
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

© The Author(s) 2022.This study aims to demonstrate the effect of a transtheoretical model (TTM)-based physical activity program on the exercise behavior of adolescents using WhatsApp. The study was conducted with high school students (N = 185) in a pre-/posttest, quasi-experimental design. TTM-based text messages were sent to the intervention group (n = 95) over WhatsApp every day for 8 weeks. The intervention group demonstrated more statistically significant progression in the exercising stages of change compared to the control group (n = 90) (χ2 = 20.10; p =.00). It was also found that this group had a higher exercising self-efficacy score (t = 2.647; p =.009) and a higher physical activity total metabolic equivalent of task score (Z = −3.521; p =.000). There was no significant difference in BMI and perception of pros and cons (p >.05). The program was found to be effective in terms of recording progress in the exercising stages of change, increasing exercising self-efficacy, and maintaining a physical activity program.