We began the analysis by computing unconditional growth models in order to examine linear
changes between positive affect, negative affect, threat and challenge appraisals, and exercise
behavior over the 14-day data collection period. By simultaneously computing these models using
each independent variable (cognitive appraisals of threat and challenge, exercise) from the main
analysis as the criterion variable and including day as the dependent variable we were able to
examine linear changes in the independent variables during the data collection period (Singer &
Willett, 2003). The results of this analysis showed that threat appraisals were significantly
associated with day [tð54Þ ¼ 1:77, po:08 (two-tailed)], indicating significant increases in threat
appraisals throughout the 14 day assessment period. The remaining variables (exercise behavior,
positive and negative affect, and challenge appraisals) did not exhibit significant increases during
the 14 data collection period.