Synergistic effect of self‐efficacy and social support on regular participation in leisure‐time physical activity among nursing staff

AIMS: This exploratory study, using mixed methods research, aimed to (1) examine the associations among self-efficacy, social support and regular leisure-time physical activity of nursing staff, and (2) identify motivators and barriers to leisure-time physical activity. BACKGROUND: It is important to engage nursing staff in regular leisure-time physical activity as a countermeasure against high occupational stress and poor health. Limited research has examined nursing staff's participation in leisure-time physical activity and associated factors. METHODS: Nursing staff employed at a community hospital in the northeastern United States were invited to participate in this cross-sectional survey with close- and open-ended questions in March 2016. RESULTS: A total of 363 nurses and nursing assistants responded, among whom, 59.8% reported regular leisure-time physical activity. Poisson regression models suggested that self-efficacy and social support had an interactive association with increased prevalence of regular leisure-time physical activity. CONCLUSION: Self-efficacy and social support have an important synergistic association with regular leisure-time physical activity of nursing staff. Effective interventions intending to facilitate nursing staff's leisure-time physical activity should consider improving their self-efficacy and social support. Qualitative comments suggested that work-out areas in the workplace with release time and organized activity may promote regular leisure-time physical activity of nursing staff.