Targeting Psychological Mechanisms in an Intervention to Promote Healthy Aging

 描述(由申请人提供)：拟议的项目涉及实施和评估一项干预计划，以促进久坐的中老年人的健康老龄化。这项干预是基于大量证据表明，对衰老的负面看法(VOA)和低控制信念与较差的健康状况和较低的从事促进健康行为的可能性有关。因此，这项计划旨在增加积极的美国之音和加强控制信念，并支持个人维持一个身体活动计划。本研究采用随机前后测控制组设计，包括100名50-70岁的社区成年人。所有参与者都参加了一个为期8周的计划，其中包括每周4次的课堂课程和为期4周的目标导向体验期。对照组接受专门针对体育锻炼和健康老龄化的教育材料。具体目标1是评估程序对三个关键变量的影响：美国之音、控制信念和体力活动。这一目标将通过2(条件)×4(测量时间)多变量方差分析(MANOVA)进行测试，以评估个体间和个体内的差异。具体目标2涉及评估统计模型，以确定干预的因果机制。多元多元回归将被用来测试多重中介模型，在该模型中，干预导致改善美国之音和控制信念，这反过来又导致更多的体力活动。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed project involves the implementation and evaluation of an intervention program to promote healthy aging among sedentary middle-aged and older adults. The intervention is based on a solid body of evidence showing that negative views on aging (VoA) and low control beliefs are associated with poorer health and a lower likelihood of engaging in health-promoting behaviors. Therefore, this program is designed to increase positive VoA and strengthen control beliefs, and to support individuals in maintaining a physical activity program. This proposal employs a randomized pretest-posttest control group design and includes 100 community-residing adults ages 50-70. All participants take part in an 8-week program comprised of 4 weekly classroom sessions, and a 4-week goal-directed experiential period. The control group receives writ- ten educational materials specific to physical activity and healthy aging. Specific Aim 1 is to evaluate the pro- gram's effect on three key variables: VoA, control beliefs, and physical activity. This aim will be tested with a 2 (condition) x 4 (time of measurement) multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to evaluate both inter- and intra-individual differences. Specific Aim 2 involves the evaluation of a statisticl model to identify causal mechanisms of the intervention. Multivariate multiple regression will be used to test a multiple mediation model, in which the intervention leads to improved VoA and control beliefs, which, in turn, lead to increased physical activity.