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Resumen La adquisición de alguna Infección de Transmisión Sexual (ITS) y los embarazos no planificados son riesgos a los que se enfrentan los jóvenes ante la decisión de no usar condón al tener relaciones sexuales. La aproximación del balance decisional enfatiza qué costos y beneficios están asociados a la conducta sexual de riesgo. Las decisiones acerca del uso del condón son un precursor de la conducta y este proceso puede estar influido por los beneficios que se perciban sobre él. El objetivo de la presente investigación es identificar la relación de las ganancias y pérdidas del uso del condón con la conducta sexual de riesgo. Se evaluó la conducta sexual de riesgo y el uso del condón masculino en sus relaciones sexuales. Se midieron las ganancias y las pérdidas del condón con una escala de medición, en una muestra de 257 universitarios, con una edad entre 18 y 39 años (. = 22.34; DE = 3.6) de Querétaro, México. La evaluación del balance decisional indica que las ganancias son mayores que las pérdidas (costos) del uso consistente del condón en las relaciones sexuales. Se encontraron asociaciones entre las ganancias y las pérdidas con indicadores de la conducta sexual de riesgo. Se observa que los universitarios que no utilizan condón manifiestan mayores pérdidas por utilizarlo. En las ganancias, se aprecia un aumento en las puntuaciones cuando se usa condón. Lo encontrado provee apoyo para el desarrollo de intervenciones que promuevan las ganancias o beneficios para incrementar el uso consistente del condón.
Abstract The acquisition of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and unplanned pregnancies are risks that young people deal when deciding not to use a condom when having sexual intercourse. During the decision-making process, individuals value the benefits (gains) and losses (costs) associated with a behavior. Cost-benefit analysis has been investigated to examine the differential impact of gains and losses on risky behaviours. The decisional balance approach emphasizes that costs and benefits are associated with risky sexual behavior. Decisions about condom use are a precursor to behavior, and this process may be influenced by perceived benefits. In the present study, it is proposed that the balance between the benefit and the loss of condom use contributes to consistent condom use. These factors as determinants of behaviour must be considered under the cultural context in which they are carried out. The objective of this research is to identify the relationship of gains and losses from condom use with risky sexual behaviour. It was hypothesized that: 1) Young people will evaluate the benefits (gains) with higher scores compared to the losses (costs) in deciding to use a condom in sexual intercourse. 2) The gains will be greater in those college students who use a condom more frequently and the losses will not be the same among those who use a condom. To evaluate risky sexual behavior and the use of the male condom in their sexual relations were considered. Condom gains and losses were measured with a measurement scale in a sample of 257 university students, aged between 18 and 39 years (. = 22.34; SD = 3.6) from Querétaro, México. With reference to sexual behavior, it was found that 89.1 % have started their sexual activity. The average age of initiation of sexual life is 15.41 years. The frequency of sexual activity is once or twice each month. The mean of sexual partners is 4.2, with a median of 3. The 68.5 % reported using some contraceptive method and regarding the use of condoms, 27.8 % always use it and 5.7 % never use it. To evaluate the decisional balance, subtracting the gain and loss factors created a net difference score. The gain factor was subtracted from its counterpart of the loss factor to indicate the preference for having sex with a condom. The decisional balance assessment indicates that the gains are greater than the losses (costs) of consistent condom use in sexual intercourse. Associations were found between gains and losses with indicators of risky sexual behavior. It is observed that university students who do not use a condom show greater losses from using it. In gains, there is an increase in scores when using a condom. Additionally, it is observed that university students, who sometimes use a condom, show greater losses for using it, unlike those who always use it, which show low scores in the losses of using it. In gains factor, there is an increase in the scores when using a condom, that is, those who never or almost never use a condom have the lowest scores and as the scores increase, the frequency of using a condom in their sexual relations also increases. In conclusion, gains and losses from male condom use are associated with risky sexual behavior (age of sexual activity, number of partners and condom use) in the university context. The findings provide support for the development of interventions that promote gains or benefits to increase consistent condom use. It is important to consider in specific interventions those young people who decide to continue having sex without using a condom despite the costs and possible consequences of not using it.
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@#Introduction: The transtheoretical model (TTM) is an integrative model of intentional change consisting of stages of change, processes of change, decisional balance and self-efficacy. This study aimed at validating the TTM questionnaires on physical activity for Malaysian children using confirmatory factor analysis. Methods: The participants were 381 Malay students (188 male; 193 female), aged 10–12 years old, with a mean age of 10.94 (SD = 0.81). The original version of the TTM was translated into the Malay language using forward and backward translation. Certain phrases were adapted based on the local culture and vocabulary suitable for primary school students. Results: The final measurement models and their fit indices were: processes of change (CFI = 0.939, TLI = 0.925, SRMR = 0.040, RMSEA = 0.030); decisional balance (CFI = 0.897, TLI = 0.864, SRMR = 0.045, RMSEA = 0.038); and self-efficacy (CFI = 0.934, TLI = 0.915, SRMR = 0.042, RMSEA = 0.032). Conclusion: Care must be taken when using the TTM with children, as it has been prevalently validated with adults. The final version of the TTM questionnaire for Malay primary school children had 24 items for process of changes, 13 items for self-efficacy and 10 items for decisional balance.
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Resumen Introducción La Diabetes tipo 2 es la enfermedad endocrina más frecuente y una de las principales causas de morbi-mortalidad en nuestros días. Es una enfermedad compleja que requiere de un tratamiento integral, que implica cambios en el estilo de vida del paciente. Para el abordaje de este fenómeno se toma el modelo transteorético desarrollado por James O. Prochaska, el cual propone que las personas hagan cambios en etapas y que se muevan, en forma secuencial, a través de estadios mientras experimentan diferentes procesos de cambio. Objetivo Determinar el estadio y balance decisional de cambio de conducta en personas que viven con diabetes y criterios para insulinoterapia, que acuden a control al Centro de Salud de Ekmul, Yucatán, con base en el modelo transteorético y con enfoque cualitativo. Materiales y Métodos Se seleccionó cinco pacientes que contaban con criterios para insulinoterapia, pero renuentes. Se utilizaron como instrumentos los cuestionarios de datos generales y de etapas de cambio, un árbol de problemas y un diagrama causa-efecto. Resultados Cinco pacientes realizaron las actividades planteadas, identificándose tres (60%) en el estadio de precontemplación y dos (40%) en contemplación. Con el gráfico causa-efecto se obtuvieron en total 16 aseveraciones con respecto al uso de la insulina, 10 (62.5%) en contra y seis (37.5%) a favor. Conclusiones El balance decisional dentro de las etapas identificadas otorga un mayor peso a las desventajas del uso de insulina generando una oposición a un cambio conductual a corto plazo. La desinformación de la fisiología elemental de la enfermedad ocasiona que se adjudiquen falsos conceptos al uso de la insulina, lo que además es propiciado por los factores psicológicos, como el temor a lo desconocido, y sociales, como el estigma ya generado por los falsos conceptos. Esto forma un círculo vicioso que impide el inicio oportuno de la terapia con insulina.
Abstract Introduction Type II diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality of our days. It is a complex disease which requires an integral approach. Objective To determine the behavioral stage and the decisional balance of change of conduct in patients with type II diabetes who fulfill the insulin therapy criteria by using the transtheoretical model with a qualitative focus at Ekmul, Health Center in Yucatan Materials and Methods Eight patients, with dual oral hypoglycemic drug therapy, at a maximum dose and with no glycemic control, were chosen with a convenience sampling. In order to obtain Personal information and to know the stages of change we used questionnaires along with a cause-effect diagram and a problem tree. Results Five women completed the proposed activities, three (60%) of them where identified in the pre-contemplation stage and two in the contemplation stage. A total of 16 answers from the cause-effect diagram, related to insulin usage, showed that ten (62.5%) is against it and six (37.5%) in favor of it. Conclusions The decisional balance within the identified stages gives greater weight to the disadvantages of insulin therapy which generates resistance to short-term behavioral change. The misinformation of the elemental physiology of the disease causes false concepts of the insulin usage which is reinforced by psychological factors, such as the fear of the unknown and the social stigma. These contribute to form a vicious circle that prevents the timely initiation of insulin therapy.
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This study aims at investigating the psychosocial factors that influence on the intake of fruits and vegetables according to stage of change in rural children. Total 256 elementary school children, located in Yeongi-Gun, Chungnam-Do were surveyed from May 14 2007 to May 30 2007. Stage of change on the intake of fruits and vegetables of the students was categorized into three stages: precontemplation (PC), contemplation & preparation (CO&PR) and action (AC). Psychosocial factors consist of decisional balance based on pros and cons, process of change of cognitive and behavioral processes, and self-efficacy. The recognition of cons out of decisional balance showed the highest score in the subjects at the stage of PC and lowest score in those action stage. While, no difference was shown in the score of recognition of pros among the stages. Both levels of cognitive and behavioral process of change showed no difference between two pre-action stages, PC and CO&PR. However, the subjects of action stages got higher scores in more number of the variables in both of cognitive and behavioral process of change compared to those of pre-action stages with more remarkable in results vegetables than in fruits. The results of self-efficacy on fruits and vegetables intake showed that the higher stages of change, the higher the self-efficacy score. From the result, it is suggested that the items and level of psychosocial factors are different according to the stage of change and between fruits and vegetables in rural children.
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Child , Humans , Fruit , VegetablesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the process of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy according to the stages of change of exercise on the basis of the Transtheoretical Model in order to investigate factors associated with the change of exercise in adult diabetic patients. METHOD: Data were collected from January to April 2005. The subjects were 160 patients in the G university hospital and public health center in J city. RESULTS: The entire process of change showed the significant difference depending on the stage of change(F=20.007, p=.000). For each process of change, the Consciousness Raising(F=14.602, p=.000), Dramatic Relief(F=7.751, p=.000), Environmental Re-evaluation(F=11.843, p=.000), Self Re-evaluation(F=16.035, p=.000), Social Liberation(F=10.968, p=.000), Counter-conditioning (F=24.090, p=.000), Helping Relationships(F= 7.625, p=.000), Reinforcement Management(F= 16.693, p=.000), Self Liberation(F=11.990, p= .000) and Stimulus Control(F=4.020, p=.002) demonstrated significant differences depending on the stages of change of exercise. For the decisional balance, the Pros showed the significant difference depending on the stage of change(F=14.121, p=.000). For the self efficacy showed significant difference depending on the stage of change(F=17.137, p=.000). CONCLUSION: In order to proceed the stage of change of exercise in patients with Diabetes Mellitus, intensive use of a specific process of change, a stage of change matching is needed.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Consciousness , Diabetes Mellitus , Public Health , Self EfficacyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was 1) to classify the stage of adoption 2) to compare the decisional balance and confidence by stage of adoption 3) to identify factors influenced the stage of adoption for breast self exam. METHOD: A comparative study using a survey method with convenience sample of 143 women was used. Decisional balance and confidence was measured using the CHBMS-K. Stage of adoption for BSE was measured by a single item modified by the researchers based on the Rakowski et al (1992). RESULT: 1) The number of women in each stage of adoption for BSE was as follows; maintenance phase, 7.7% (n=11), action phase, 49.0% (n=70), contemplation phase, 35.0% (n=50) and pre- contemplation phase, 8.4%(n=12). 2) The mean difference in the decisional balance (F=4.32, p=.006) and confidence (F=13.85, p=.000) according to the stage of BSE adoption was statistically significant. 3) Prevention education and confidence accounted for 32% of variance in BSE. CONCLUSION: Assessment of decisional balance and stage of adoption for BSE can guide planning for cancer prevention education. We must educate women to have confidence in BSE. Further, it is important to urge women to continually practice BSE.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Breast , Education , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Despite many smoking cessation programs, many patients with CAD continue to smoke or re-smoke. The processes of change and self-change for smoking cessation is emphasized. The purpose of present study was to investigate decisional balances and processes of change according to stages of change for smoking cessation in the patients with CAD. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed using the self-reported questionnaires from 157 male patients with CAD who have smoking experiences. The questionnaires consisted of decisional balances toward smoking (pros/cons) and processes of change including 7 factors. RESULTS: 45.2% of the subjects had myocardial infarction and 54.8% for angina pectoris. Major stages of change were maintenance, contemplation, and precontemplation in 62%, 14%, and 18% respectively. The mean score of pros smoking was 31.07 and cons smoking was 32.52. The mean scores of processes of change were high in all 7 factors, especially in self determination. The pros smoking in precontemplation stage was significantly higher than those in other stages. Between contemplation and precontemplation stages, processes of change showed significant differences in stimulus control, self determination, information management, and dramatic relief. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that decisional balances and processes of change are stage-specific. As this study, smoking cessation program in the patients with CAD must put priority on the patients group in precontemplation and contemplation stages, and stress self determination and dramatic relief.
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PURPOSE: The study was performed to identify the process of change, decisional balance and self-efficacy corresponding to the stage of smoking cessation behavior based on Transtheoretical Model in industrial workers. METHOD: A convenience sample of 146 industrial workers except for the never smokers, were recruited at a H industry in Ulsan. Data were collected from February 1 to 28, 2002. The research instruments were Stages of Change of Smoking Cessation Measure(DiClemente et al, 1991), Process of change(Prochaska, 1988), Smoking Abstinence Self Efficacy (SASE: DiClemente et al, 1985) and Decisional balance(SDB; Kim, 1999). RESULT: The results of this study were as follows; 1. The subjects were distributed in each stage of smoking cessation change: There were 64 subjects (43.0%) in the precontemplation stage, 35 subjects(23.5%) in the contemplation stage, 28 subjects(18.8%) in the preparation stage, 14 subjects(10.1%) in the action stage and 7 subjects(4.7%) in the maintenance stage. 2. Analysis of variance showed that experiental process(F=2.808, p=.042), behavioral process (F=4.567, p=.004) self-efficacy(F=9.809, p=.000), pros(F=11.107, p=.000), cons(F=6.686, p=.000), pros- cons(F=3.446, p=.018) were significantly associated with the stages of smoking cessation change. 3. Through discriminant analysis, it was found that 'PROS' was the most influential variable in discriminating the four stages of change. CONCLUSION: This study can provide the basis of staged matching smoking cessation program using TTM for more effective and useful intervention.
Subject(s)
Self Efficacy , Smoke , Smoking Cessation , SmokingABSTRACT
PURPOSE:Thisstudy was performed to identify the process of change, decisional balance and self-efficacy corresponding to the stage of exercise behavior using Transtheoretical Model in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHOD:The study method was a survey in 100 type 2 DM patients at out-patients clinic of Y medical center from March 19, 2000 to October 30, 2000. RESULT:The results were as follows:The subjects were divided into five stages of exercise behavior ;15.0% in pre-contemplation stage, 33.0% in contemplation stage, 17.0% in preparation stage, 16.0% in action stage and 19.0% in maintenance stage. The subjects in pre-contemplation stage used all processes of change in the least. "Dramatic relief(DR)", "Environmental reevaluation(ER)" and "Self reevaluation(SR)" were identified as main processes ofchangein contemplation stage. "Consciousness raising(CR)", "DR" were used higher than average in preparation stage. "Helpingrelationships(HR)","CR", "ER", "SR", "Social liberation(SL)", "Counter conditioning (CC)", "Reinforcement management(RM)", "Self liberation(SEL)" and "Stimulus control(SC)" were used higher than average in action stage. The subjects in maintenance stage used all process of change the highest except "DR"and "HR". "Cons" score of decisional balance was the highest in pre-contemplation stage, "Pros" score was the highest in action stage and "Self-efficacy" score was the highest in maintenance stage. CONCLUSION: This study can provide the basis of staged matching exercise program using TTM for more effective and useful intervention.
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Humans , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , OutpatientsABSTRACT
This cross-sectional survey was carried out to assess the decisional balance of Korean women toward mammography screening. A sample of 1, 903 naturally postmenopausal women was selected from the community-based social groups in town or city hall auxiliaries in seven metropolitan areas and six provinces in Korea. The classification of women according to the stage of adoption of mammography was 54.9% in pre-contemplation, 31.9% in contemplation, 7.8% in action, and 5.5% in maintenance. The mean differences of pros, cons, and the decisional balance by the stage of mammography adoption were statistically significant. There were significant mean differences between the stages of adoption according to a woman's experience with and intention for mammography and the pros score, the cons score, and the decisional balance score. Results provide the empirical evidence for the Transtheoretical model. An association between stages of mammography adoption and decisional balance exists.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Classification , Cross-Sectional Studies , Intention , Korea , Mammography , Mass ScreeningABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to identify causal relationships among variables of transtheoretical model for exercise in the elderly. A predictivel model explaining the stage of change was constructed based on a transtheoretical model. Empirical data for testing the hypothetical model was collected from 198 old adults over 60 years old in a community setting in Seoul, Korea in April and May,1999. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and correlational analysis using pc-SAS program. The Linear Structural Modeling (LISREL) 8.0 program was used to find the best fit model which predicts causal relationship of variables. The fit of the hypothetical model to the data was X2=132.85. (df=22, p=.000). GFI=.88, NNFI=.35, NFI=.77, AGFI=.59 which was not favorable but the fit of modified model to the data was X2=46.90. (df=27, p=.01).GFI= .95, NNFI=.91, NFI=.92, AGFI=.87) which was more than moderate. The predictable variables of stage of change for exercise of the Korean elderly were helping relationship, self cognitive determination, conversion of negative condition in process of change and efficacy for exercise . These variables explained 68% of stage of change for exercise of the Korean elderly.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Humans , Middle Aged , Korea , Models, Structural , Self Efficacy , SeoulABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to identify causal relationships among variables of transtheoretical model for exercise in the elderly. A predictivel model explaining the stage of change was constructed based on a transtheoretical model. Empirical data for testing the hypothetical model was collected from 198 old adults over 60 years old in a community setting in Seoul, Korea in April and May,1999. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and correlational analysis using pc-SAS program. The Linear Structural Modeling (LISREL) 8.0 program was used to find the best fit model which predicts causal relationship of variables. The fit of the hypothetical model to the data was X2=132.85. (df=22, p=.000). GFI=.88, NNFI=.35, NFI=.77, AGFI=.59 which was not favorable but the fit of modified model to the data was X2=46.90. (df=27, p=.01).GFI= .95, NNFI=.91, NFI=.92, AGFI=.87) which was more than moderate. The predictable variables of stage of change for exercise of the Korean elderly were helping relationship, self cognitive determination, conversion of negative condition in process of change and efficacy for exercise . These variables explained 68% of stage of change for exercise of the Korean elderly.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Humans , Middle Aged , Korea , Models, Structural , Self Efficacy , SeoulABSTRACT
This study was carried out to assess the perception of decisional balance of Korean subjects about 4 health behaviors and to identify the influencing factor of decisional balance for exercise acquisition, smoking cessation, mammography screening and Kegel's exercise acquisition. All are representative health behaviors nurses can intervene in Korea based on the Transtheoretical model. Convenient samples of 2,484 subjects (191; exercise, 169; smoking cessation, 1903; mammography screening and 221; Kegel's exercise) were selected from cities and counties over 9 provinces throughout Korea, and the data was collected from January 1, 1999 to February 29, 2000. The research instrument were the Decisional Balance Measure for Exercise (Marcus & Owen., 1992), Smoking Cessation (Velicer et al., 1985), Mammography Screening (Rakowski et al.,1992) and Kegel Exercise (Lim, 1999) and Stage of Change Measure for Exercise (Marcus et al, 1992), Smoking Cessation (DiClemente et al., 1991), Mammography Screening (Rakowski et al.,1992) and Kegel's Exercise (Lim, 1999). The data was analyzed by the SAS Program. The results are as follows; 1. According to the stage of change measure, 2,484 subjects were distributed in each stage of change for four health behaviors: 1,233 subjects (49.8%), 745 subjects (30.2%), 113 subjects (4.7%), 156 subjects (6.5%), and 216 (8.7%) belonged to the pre- contemplation stage, contemplation stage, preparation stage, action stage and maintenance stage. They were all series of stages of change in their efforts to do health behavior. 2. Factor analysis identified 3 factors (1 of Pros, 2 of Cons) for the exercise, 4 factors for smoking cessation (2 of Pros, 2 of Cons), 2 factors (1 of Pros, 1 of Cons) for the mammogram screening and 2 factors (1 of Pros, 1 of Cons) for Kegel's exercise of decisional balance. 3. The analysis of variance and multiple comparison analysis showed that for all 4 samples, the Cons of changing the problem behaviors outweighed the Pros for subjects who were in the pre- contemplation stage, The opposite was true for subjects in action and maintenance stage. 4. Through the discriminant analysis, it was found that one factor of Pros for exercise, one factor of Cons for smoking cessation, 1 factor of Cons for mammogram screening and one factor of Cons for Kegel's exercise were the more influencing factors, than others in discriminating the stages of change. Results are consistent with the applications of the Transtheoretical model, which have been used to understand how people change health behaviors. This results provide some evidence that subject's report of his/her health behavior corresponds to beliefs about usefulness of related health behaviors. The results of this study have implications for patients' health education and health intervention strategies. The findings of this study give useful information for nursing educators for 4 health behaviors, especially the factors relating to decision making in the different stages of change.
Subject(s)
Decision Making , Health Behavior , Health Education , Korea , Mammography , Mass Screening , Nursing , Smoke , Smoking Cessation , SmokingABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the factors of decisional balance for smoking cessation among middle aged men in Korea. This was composed of a set of variables at the level of decision making when middle aged men decide to stop smoking. It was used to classify and identify the characteristics of the stages of change for smoking cessation to which the middle aged men belong, and was used to identify the variables of decisional balance which influenced the stages of change for smoking cessation in middle aged men. METHODS: A convenience sample of 169 men who had smoked and were smoking, were between age 30 and 60 and lived in Seoul(mean age=44), were selected from the community. The data was collected from December 10, 1999 to February 28, 2000. The research instrument was the Decisional Balance Measure for Smoking Cessation (Velicer et al., 1985), and Stage of Change Measure(DiClemente et al., 1991). The data were analyzed using the SAS Program. RESULTS: 1. According to stage of change measure, the 169 subjects were distributed in each stage of change for smoking cessation: in the pre-contemplation stage 63 subjects (32.7%), contemplation stage 60 subjects (35.5%), preparation stage 17 subjects (10.1%), and maintenance stage 29 subjects(17.2%). 2. Factor analysis identified 4 factors of decisional balance as appropriate factors for smoking cessation of middle aged men. There were named by the researchers; 1)'Perceived Burden to Self', 2) 'Perceived Benefit to Others' 3)'Perceived Approval to Others', and 4)'Perceived Disapproval to Self'. 3. Analysis of variance showed that the three components, 1)'Perceived Burden to Self(F=8.50, P=0.0001)', 2) 'Perceived Benefit to Others(F=3.19, P=0.025)' and 3)'Perceived DisApproval to Self(F=2.87, P=0.038)were significantly associated with stage of change. 4. Through discriminant analysis, it was found that 'Perceived Burden to self' was the most influential variable in discriminating the four stages of change(pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, and maintenance). CONCLUSION: The results are consistent with the application of the Transtheoretical model, which has been used to understand how people change health behavior. Even though this study is a cross-sectional, not a longitudinal study, the findings of this study give useful information for smoking cessation intervention for the middle aged men.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Decision Making , Health Behavior , Korea , Smoke , Smoking Cessation , SmokingABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was carried out to identify the factor of decisional balance for exercise. This was composed of a set of variables at the level of decision making when the elderly decide to do exercise. It was used to classify and identify the characteristics of the stages of change for exercise to which the elderly belong, and was used to identify the variables of decisional balance which influence the stage of change for exercise in the elderly. METHODS: Convenient samples of 198 subjects over age 60 in Seoul( mean age=70) were selected from community living, mentally competant older adults and the data was collected from April 1, 1999 to May 31, 1999. The research instrument was the Decisional Balance Measure for Exercise(Marcus &Owen., 1992), Stage of Change Measure(Marcus et al,1992). The data was analyzed by SAS Program. RESULTS: 1. According to stage of change measure, without missing data,191 subjects were distributed in each stage of change for exercise: 50 subjects(26.1%), 7 subjects (3.6%), 52 subjects(27.2%), 4 subjects(2%), and 78(40.8%) belonged to the pre- contemplation stage, contemplation stage, preparation stage, action stage and maintenace stage. 2. Factor analysis identified 3 factors of decisional balance as appropriate factors for exercise of the elderly and named by researchers; 1)'Perceived Physical-psychological benefit', 2)'Perceived Physical-psychological burden', and 3)'Perceived time burden'. 3. The analysis of variance showed that the two components Perceived Physical - psychological benefit(F=45.95, P=.0001), and Perceived Physical-psychological burden (F=26.52, P=.0001) were significantly associated with stage of change. 4. Through the discriminant analysis, it was found that both 'Self Perceived Physical - Psychological benefit' and 'Perceived Physical-Psychological burden' were the influential variables in discriminating the three stages of change(pre-contemplation, preparation, and maintenance). CONCLUSION: Results are consistent with the application of the Transtheoretical model, which has been used to understand how people change health behaviors. Even though this study is a cross-sectional, not a longitudinal study, the findings of this study give useful information for exercise intervention about especially the factors relating to decision making for exercise of the elderly in the different stages of change of exercise.