"We Are an Active Family": Promoting Child Physical Activity Through Social Identity Formation in the Family System
- Conditions
- Social IdentityPhysical Activity
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Social Identity
- Registration Number
- NCT05794789
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Victoria
- Brief Summary
The purpose of our study is to explore the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) identity formation in the family system as a promotor of long-term PA. The primary research question is:
Does a family identity formation condition (with education+planning) result in increased child moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) compared to a standard comparison education and planning condition at six months? Hypothesis: Child MVPA will be higher for the identity formation condition in comparison to the more standard PA education+planning condition at six months.
- Detailed Description
The secondary research questions will include:
1. Does the identity formation condition improve child health-related fitness outcomes compared to the education and planning condition at six months? Hypothesis: Child health-related fitness will be higher for the identity formation condition in comparison to the education and planning condition.
2. Can group differences among behavioural, and health-related fitness outcomes be explained through a mediation model? Hypothesis: The covariance of the assigned conditions (identity formation, planning + education) on child MVPA will be explained by parental support, and through parental support identity (i.e., manipulation check). In turn, the covariance between support and health-related outcomes will be explained by MVPA among conditions. In the case of null outcomes for research question #1, the investigators will instead explore a prediction model of these variables rather than a mediation model.
3. Is there an intergenerational, seasonal, or sex difference across primary outcomes by assigned condition? Hypothesis: Parents in the identity formation condition will show higher physical activity via some activities being performed with their children (as part of social identity) in comparison to the other condition. No differences in child sex or season are hypothesized based on past research.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 148
- Participants will be at least one parent with at least one child between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
- Families (parents and/or guardians and children) residing in Greater Victoria, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Duncan, Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Burnaby, British Columbia.
- Children that participate in <60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA)
- If child is meeting the current physical activity guidelines >=60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.
- If participant does not pass Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ)
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Identity formation condition Social Identity This group will receive the same content as the education+planning comparison condition but with two additional coaching sessions. The session will include short overviews of the benefits of PA as a family, brainstorming how a family can each assist each other in PA, and an activity for developing a family PA action plan. Behavior change techniques that align with these approaches and are included in the coaching session include identity salience, identity similarity, as well as identity fit and contrast. This will be supplemented by an organization of fun family PA roles for all members (e.g., activity planner, goal setter, supporter, etc.) to instill involvement as well as items (creation of a family PA t-shirt, family PA photos and display, etc.) to instill distinctiveness, which is a central feature of a social identity.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change from baseline in children's moderate to vigorous physical activity to 6 months Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months Children's physical activity will be quantified by accelerometry. Children will wear an accelerometer for a minimum of 6 hours per day for 7 days at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Musculoskeletal Endurance Baseline - 6 months Measured doing curl ups and push ups
Body Composition - Percentage Body Fat Baseline - 6 months Percentage body fat will be measured using a bioelectric impedance scale
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Affective Judgements Baseline - 6 months Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
Body Composition - Waist Circumference Baseline - 6 months Waist circumference (cm)
Musculoskeletal Power Baseline - 6 months Measured doing vertical jump test
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Perceived Capability Baseline - 6 months Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Perceived Opportunity Baseline - 6 months Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
Parent-child intergenerational activity via seven-day accelerometry Baseline - 6 months Accelerometer model has a Bluetooth proximity detection feature that can determine the presence (e.g., same room in a house, at the park together) or absence of close proximity between two accelerometers. The outcome variable will be average minutes per day parents and children were both engaging in physical activity at the same time while in close proximity.
Parent-child intergenerational activity measured via parent self-report Baseline - 6 months For self-reported PA, the the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire will be used.
Body Composition - Weight Baseline - 6 months Weight (kg)
Body Composition - Height Baseline - 6 months Height (cm)
Cardiovascular Fitness (ie: predicted maximal aerobic power) Baseline - 6 months Will be assessed during a submaximal exercise test called the mCAFT Step Test
Musculoskeletal Fitness Baseline - 6 months Measured using grip strength
Musculoskeletal Flexibility Baseline - 6 months Measured doing sit and reach test
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Instrumental Attitude Baseline - 6 months Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
Social Identity Baseline - 6 months Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
Trial Locations
- Locations (2)
Psychology of Exercise, Health, and Physical Activity (PEHPA) Laboratory, University of British Columbia
🇨🇦Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Behavioural Medicine Lab, University of Victoria
🇨🇦Victoria, British Columbia, Canada