A avaliação do hábito em praticantes de exercício físico: Testando a validade do Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index

Habitual behaviors are repeated unconsciously, without intention. Accurate measurement of habit is crucial to help researchers develop and apply a theoretical habit model with an empirically valid measure. Thus, the aim of the present study was to test the validity and reliability of the Self-Report Behavior Automaticity Index in a Portuguese sample of exercisers. Data were collected from two independent samples, with 590 adults (women = 311; men = 279). A confirmatory factor analysis of the four-item measure model of the Self-Report Behavior Automaticity Index and analysis of invariance between two independent samples were performed. Additionally, a mediation model was tested in order to analyze the mediating role of the weekly frequency of physical exercise between past experience and habit. The measurement model of the Self-Report Behavior Automaticity Index demonstrated an acceptable fit in each of the samples, and the composite reliability coefficients were adequate. The measurement model proved to be invariant between samples, thus adding greater support to its validity to assess usual behavior. Exercise frequency mediates the relationship between experience and habit development, adding evidence to the habit theory. KEYWORDS: habits; exercise; invariance; predictive validity.