Psychosocial factors, which may facilitate or impede pregnancy leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) have been identified by pregnant women. Although the influence of each factor is unclear, some may be vital in enabling pregnant women to participate in sufficient levels of LTPA. The Risk Perception Attitude Framework (RPA) suggests risk perceptions and efficacy beliefs interact to predict self-protective behavior. Therefore, the first purpose of this dissertation was to examine the joint influence of pregnancy risk perceptions and LTPA efficacy beliefs on LTPA behavior among pregnant women. An additional factor which may impact LTPA behavior, but which has not been examined thoroughly, is religion. Thus, the second purpose of this dissertation was to examine the influence of religion (specifically the Latter-day Saint (LDS) faith) on pregnancy LTPA and potential psychosocial factors which influence pregnancy LTPA.A convenience sample of pregnant women (n=302) was recruited via prenatal clinics and word-of-mouth from mid-Michigan as well as Salt Lake City, Utah. Data were collected from a 15-minute survey (via iPad or paper copy) completed by all study participants. RPA defined attitudinal groups were created via a median split of both pregnancy risk perceptions (high/low) and LTPA efficacy beliefs (high/low) for both moderate and vigorous LTPA. Moderate LTPA was dichotomized as meeting current LTPA guidelines [moderate LTPA ≥150 min/week] or not, while vigorous LTPA was dichotomized as performing any [vigorous LTPA >0 min/week], or not. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were utilized to examine group differences for both moderate and vigorous LTPA. Hierarchical logistic regression was utilized to examine further the joint influence of pregnancy risk perceptions and LTPA efficacy beliefs on pregnancy LTPA. Four religious groups were defined as LDS, and non-LDS high, moderate, and low religiosity (as determined via tertiles). Group differences for LTPA as well as pregnancy risk, LTPA efficacy, physical activity social support, and discussions with prenatal healthcare providers were determined via chi-square analyses and logistic regression.Responsive and proactive pregnant women (those with high efficacy beliefs) were most likely to meet moderate LTPA guidelines and participate in any vigorous LTPA compared to the other attitudinal groups. Hierarchical logistic regression did not reveal an interactive effect of pregnancy risk perceptions and LTPA efficacy beliefs for meeting moderate LTPA guidelines or any vigorous LTPA participation. LDS women were less likely to meet moderate LTPA guidelines, but more likely to participate in vigorous LTPA compared to non-LDS women. LDS women reported higher levels of moderate and vigorous LTPA efficacy. The results suggest that high LTPA efficacy beliefs are important in facilitating greater levels of pregnancy LTPA. Our findings partially extend the scope of the RPA, specifically to classifying pregnant women with respect to LTPA behavior. Although this investigation did not find a significant interactive effect between pregnancy risk perceptions and LTPA efficacy beliefs, their joint consideration should not be discounted in future investigations. Interventions aiming to increase pregnancy LTPA should focus on methods to heighten pregnant women's LTPA efficacy beliefs such that avoidant pregnant women become responsive and indifferent pregnant women become proactive.
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