Motivational and Volitional Correlates of Physical Activity in Participants Reporting No, Past, and Current Hypertension: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Observation Study

Purpose: The study investigated differences in motivational and volitional correlates of physical activity in persons who reported currently having hypertension, had hypertension in the past, or had no hypertension by using the health action process approach as a theoretical background. Method: Self-reported data from 512 participants (71.9% women; M_age = 46.83 years; SD_age = 13.77; M_BMI = 24.89; SD_BMI = 4.71) were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post hoc comparisons of groups to determine differences in motivational and volitional correlates for physical activity between groups followed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Additionally, χ² statistic was used to analyze differences in the distribution of behavioral stages between groups. Results: Participants with hypertension reported a higher perceived vulnerability (d = 0.99) and lower action planning (d = 0.32) and self-efficacy (d = 0.30) compared to those who indicated no hypertension. Their perceived vulnerability was also higher compared to those who indicated past hypertension on the mean level (d = 0.60). Significant main effects for all independent variables were found when controlling for gender and HAPA stages with main effects for perceived vulnerability, action planning, and self-efficacy. Participants with current hypertension were more prominent in the intender stage, whereas participants with past hypertension were more likely to be in the actor stage. Participants with no hypertension at all were equally distributed across the intender and actor stages. Conclusion: The study contributes to the understanding of differences in motivational and volitional correlates of physical activity in persons who reported different hypertension statuses.