A Social Cognitive Assessment of Workplace Sedentary Behavior among a Sample of University Employees

Amanda H. Wilkerson (), Nuha Abutalib, Ny’Nika T. McFadden, Shristi Bhochhibhoya, Adriana Dragicevic, Bushra R. Salous and Vinayak K. Nahar
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Amanda H. Wilkerson: Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA
Nuha Abutalib: Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA
Ny’Nika T. McFadden: Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA
Shristi Bhochhibhoya: Center for Research on Interpersonal Violence, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Adriana Dragicevic: Department of Health and Exercise Science, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Bushra R. Salous: Department of Health and Exercise Science, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Vinayak K. Nahar: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 15, 1-12

Abstract: Sedentary behavior (SB) is an important public health concern. Adults working in desk-based occupations spend a considerable proportion of the workday sitting. More information is needed regarding the factors that contribute to occupational SB. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of social cognitive theory (SCT) to explain work-related SB using a quantitative, cross-sectional design by administering an online questionnaire. Participants included 381 full-time employees at a large, public university in the south-central United States. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was used to determine the relationship between SCT constructs and SB. Mean work-related SB was 5.95 (SD = 1.30) h/8 h workday. In model 1, 9.6% of the total variance in SB was accounted for by standing desk ownership and physical activity level ( p = 0.001; R2 = 0.096). In model 2, SCT constructs led to a statistically significant R 2 increase of 4.9% ( p < 0.001), where standing desk ownership, physical activity, and self-efficacy explained 13.3% of the variance in work-related SB. Findings from this study suggest that self-efficacy may be an important factor in explaining variation in occupational SB. Public health researchers and practitioners should consider strategies to address self-efficacy when developing workplace interventions to target occupational SB.

Keywords: adults; worksite; sedentary behavior; social cognitive theory; workplace (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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