| MARC A. ADAMS (San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego), Melbourne F. Hovell (San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health), Gregory J. Norman (University of California, San Diego), Veronica Irvin (Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health), Brent Bishop (Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health), Yael Ben-Porat (Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health) |
| Abstract: To design population-wide interventions to increase cultural health practices, such as daily physical activity, we need to identify, measure, and analyze the prevalence and function of competing contingencies.
Stair vs. escalator use was filmed for 8,229 participants at the San Diego, California International Airport. Variables were coded based on systematic observation of videotapes: age, gender, body shape, race, day/time, direction, and the following markers of physical and social reinforcement contingencies: clothing, luggage, children, social group, and speed of movement. Inter-rater kappas ranged from 0.64 to 0.88. A chi-square signal detection strategy identified marker combinations that predicted stair use beyond the base-rate.
A base-rate of 8.6% was found. We identified eight unique subgroups with varying combinations of contingency markers and stair use rates. The highest use (75.7%) occurred for the subgroup characterized by the following markers: moving rapidly, descending, and wearing sports shoes (p<.001). The lowest use (1.6%) occurred for those moving normally and ascending (p<.001).
Combinations of contingency markers suggest synergistic and antagonistic interactions which dramatically affect stair use. Each marker could be considered changing “states” that vary with individual’s stream of behavior. Policies or programs that can intervene within the chain of contingencies may lead to increased physical activity. |