Understanding parental physical activity behaviours in parents of children with disabilities: An expanded theory of planned behaviour approach

Background: The purpose of the current study was to examine association between physical activity (PA) of parents of children with developmental disabilities and theory of planned behaviour-related variables. Methods: A total of 95 participants completed questionnaires that measured the following variables: PA behaviours, action planning, intention, affective attitude, instrumental attitude. A path analysis was used to examine the associations between the variables. Results: Among participants, 40% did not meet the PA guideline. PA affective attitude was positively associated with PA intention (beta = 0.30, p = .009) and PA action planning (beta = .22, p = .03). In turn, both PA intention and PA action planning were associated with moderateto-vigorous PA in parents of children with developmental disabilities (beta = 0.23, p = .008; beta= 0.52, p < .001, respectively). Conclusion: Physical activity in parents of children with developmental disabilities were appropriately explained by theory of planned behaviour-related variables.