Proxy Efficacy: Implications for Self-Efficacy and Exercise Intentions in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Objective: To examine relations among proxy efficacy, exercise self-efficacy, and exercise in cardiac rehabilitation. Participants and Study Design: Twenty-nine cardiac rehabilitation outpatients (24 men and 5 women) enrolled in a 12-week hospital-based program. Measures of proxy efficacy and exercise self-efficacy, obtained in Week 3, were used to predict program attendance and exercise self-efficacy at Week 10. Late program (i.e., Week 10) exercise self-efficacy and proxy efficacy were also used to predict postprogram exercise intentions. Results: Early program proxy efficacy and attendance predicted late program exercise self-efficacy (adjusted R2 =.71, p <.01). Greater late program proxy efficacy beliefs were linked to stronger postprogram exercise intentions. Conclusions: Proxy efficacy beliefs are associated with exercise self-efficacy and exercise intentions in cardiac rehabilitation. Practitioners should encourage these beliefs through positive instructional and motivational interaction.