Psychometric assessment of Finnish versions of exercise-related measures of Transtheoretical Model constructs

The Transtheoretical Model offers a promising approach for understanding exercise behavior. However, this model has received minimal cross-cultural attention, and measurement instruments are only available in English. This gap was addressed by assessing the psychometric properties of translated measures of each core construct from the model. Finnish (n = 168) and American (n = 169) college students completed language specific measures. Among the Finnish, American, and combined samples, the measures demonstrated acceptable reliability. Using regression analysis, 34%, 18%, and 26% of the variance in the Finnish, American, and combined samples' exercise behavior, respectively, was explained by self-efficacy and the behavioral processes of change, with no unique variance added by other core constructs or demographic factors. The translation of the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change scales/subscales into Finnish was successful. Within a cross-cultural sample, the translated measures demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties.