Health Psychology Open · Published 2026-02-23 · DOI 10.1177/20551029251411974
Although self-efficacy beliefs are an important predictor of physical activity, the origins of self-efficacy beliefs remain unclear, and a comprehensive joint perspective regarding the sources of self-efficacy is lacking. The present study investigates whether distinct profiles emerge in the sources of self-efficacy regarding physical activity. In a sample of 324 participants, latent profile analysis revealed that a five-profile solution fitted the data best. Significant differences were observed between these profiles concerning self-efficacy and physical activity. Discriminant analysis substantiated the profile assignments. Findings of this study suggest that multiple configurations of self-efficacy sources yield commendable levels of self-efficacy and physical activity. However, elevated levels of negative affect seem to have a detrimental effect on self-efficacy and physical activity, nearly irrespective of the other sources of self-efficacy. Implications of these findings for promoting self-efficacy in a person-centered manner to address the issue of physical inactivity and the concomitant health restrictions are discussed.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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