European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 18, 10 (2025) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2025.006

Bayesian analysis of parental intentions to promote physical activity in young people with cerebral palsy.

Alfredo Ruiz1,, Taija Finni1,, Pauli Rintala1,, Kaisa Kaseva2, Kwok Ng3,4,5
1 Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
2 Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland.
3 Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland.
4 Institute of Sports Science and Innovation, Lithuanian Sports University, Lithuania
5 Faculty of Education, University of Turku, Finland

This study investigates the determinants of parents’ intentions to support physical activity in their children with cerebral palsy (CP), guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). It is hypothesized that parental intention to support PA in young people with CP will be influenced by attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Sixteen parents of young people with CP participating in the Exercises for CP (EXECP) intervention, were surveyed using a questionnaire developed based on the TPB constructs: Attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and intention. Data was collected prior to the 3-month EXECP intervention, after the participants had already familiarized themselves with study procedures. A Bayesian statistical approach was central to the study´s methodology, employing Bayesian regression analysis, Bayesian correlation and model comparison tests, to evaluate the determinants of parental intentions to support physical activity in their young people with CP. The results showed that perceived behavioural control is the predominant factor influencing parental intentions, overshadowing attitude, and subjective norms. This finding underscores the crucial role of parents' perceived capabilities in facilitating physical activity in young people with CP. These insights highlight the need for interventions that strengthen parental efficacy and provide accessible resources, focusing on tailored, parent-centric strategies. Emphasizing perceived behavioural control as a crucial factor, the findings suggest pathways for interventions that empower parents with the knowledge and resources to facilitate physical activity in their children with CP.

Keywords: motivation, contextual factors; perceived behavioural control; attitude; subjective norms

Received: February 11, 2024; Revised: March 1, 2025; Accepted: March 21, 2025; Published online: November 24, 2025  Show citation

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Ruiz, A., Finni, T., Rintala, P., Kaseva, K., & Ng, K. (2025). Bayesian analysis of parental intentions to promote physical activity in young people with cerebral palsy. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 18, Article 10. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2025.006
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