Partner Dyads to Promote Physical Activity among Women at Risk for CVD: Daily Perceptions of Communication and Associations with Physical Activity Outcomes

Abstract

Objective: To examine day-to-day experiences of social support and peer partner influence during a tailored physical activity (PA) intervention. Methods: The parent intervention was designed for women in midlife (ages 40-65) with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), for whom lack of social support is a barrier to cardioprotective levels of PA. Women in midlife with ≥1 CVD risk factor (e.g., hypertension; N =62, M Age =53, M BMI =32.6 kg/m 2 , 44% from underrepresented groups) enrolled in an 8-week PA intervention combining PA coaching with formation of partner dyads for between-session support ( n =31).Women who enrolled were paired in partner dyads and did not have a relationship prior to enrolling. They wore a digital PA monitor and completed daily end-of-day surveys throughout the program (94% compliance). Multilevel models tested for within-person associations between daily satisfaction with partner support (individual and dyad levels), including preliminary tests of partner influence. Results: Partners communicated on 58% of days, primarily via texting (used on 92% of communication days). Perceived support varied within-person and within-dyad (ICCs=0.37-0.48); women reported greater PA motivation and took more steps on days when they experienced greater partner support ( P s<0.040, sr s=0.19-0.32). Partners’ daily PA motivation and steps showed weak correlations ( r s=0.008-0.24); associations between partners’ perceptions and each others’ PA outcomes were slightly stronger ( sr s=0.20-0.28) and reflected different experiences of support. Conclusions: Among women with elevated risk for CVD, support in health-focused partnerships has potential to influence daily PA motivation and behavior. Additional investigation will improve partner-based PA intervention toward reduction in CVD risk for this group.