Self-silencing as a predictor of physical activity behavior

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2013 Jul;34(7):505-13. doi: 10.3109/01612840.2013.774076.

Abstract

Self-silencing theory suggests that women ignore their own feelings and needs to attend to the desires of others. However, the impact of such self-silencing on physical activity behavior is unknown. This study examined the degree of self-silencing among a group of highly educated and relatively affluent African American women and the strength of self-silencing as a predictor of physical activity. The mean total self-silencing score for participants was 71.46. Overall, women reported spending approximately 193 min per week engaged in physical activity but only 36% met current recommendations for aerobic physical activity. Self-silencing did not predict physical activity behavior.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Altruism*
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Emotions*
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Female
  • Gender Identity*
  • Health Behavior / ethnology
  • Humans
  • Life Style / ethnology
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity*
  • North Carolina
  • Object Attachment*
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Care / psychology*
  • Self Concept
  • Social Responsibility*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires