Browsing by Subject "Theory of Planned Behavior"
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Item Factors comprising adolescents’ readiness for sexual behaviors : a latent profile analysis(2014-12) Orozco-Lapray, Diana Lucellan; Kim, Su YeongThe current study used multi-wave data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to examine the existence of typologies of readiness for sexual intercourse and contraception among a nationally representative sample of adolescents aged 15-18. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, the current study used latent profile analyses to establish five profiles of sexual readiness based on adolescents' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control for sexual intercourse and contraception. Analyses were conducted cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and five classes were confirmed at each of two waves. The current study established and characterized four profiles of readiness for sexual behavior at both waves: “impulsive adolescents,” “precarious adolescents,” “well-controlled adolescents,” and “conservatively-reared adolescents.” Two separate fifth profiles also emerged: “hasty adolescents” at wave 1, and “unrestrained adolescents” at wave 2. Logistic regression of longitudinal data indicated that compared to “impulsive adolescents” at wave 1, “precarious” and “conservatively-reared” adolescents were significantly less likely to engage in sexual intercourse at wave 2, and “well-controlled” adolescents were significantly less likely to engage in casual sex. Wave 1 cross-sectional data indicated that “precarious” adolescents were less likely to have used contraception either at their first time or most recent time of sex, and all other profiles were more likely to have employed contraception than “impulsive” adolescents. Wave 2 cross-sectional analyses indicated that two profiles (“precarious” and “conservatively-reared”) were less likely to engage in sexual intercourse, and two profiles (“well-controlled” and “unrestrained”) were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse than “impulsive” adolescents.Item Interpersonal influence on physical activity : mediation by psychological factors and moderation by personal characteristics(2010-05) Ripperger-Suhler, Kenneth Grant; Chalip, Laurence Hilmond, 1951-; Gottlieb, Nell H.; Bartholomew, John B.; Steinhardt, Mary; Kohl, Harold W.; Mirowsky, JohnThe primary purpose of the study was to identify relationships among sources of interpersonal influence, putative psychological mediators, and physical activity. The moderation of these relationships by age, body composition, and educational attainment was also evaluated. Responses from 1224 employees were collected through an online survey at a major healthcare facility in central Texas. Structural equation modeling was used to construct the Social Context Scale of Interpersonal Influence and to estimate its ability to explain intention to be physically active and predict physical activity behavior. Invariance testing provided estimates of moderation by age, education, and body composition. Home social context was positively associated with self-efficacy and positive anticipated outcomes and negatively associated with negative anticipated outcomes. Friend social context was positively associated with self-efficacy, positive anticipated outcomes, and intention. Teasing was positively associated with negative anticipated outcomes. Self-efficacy and positive anticipated outcomes were positively associated with intention. Negative anticipated outcomes were negatively associated with intention. The relationship between friend social context and both positive anticipated outcomes and intention was stronger for obese than non-obese respondents. Home social context was more strongly associated with self-efficacy for those with four year degrees than for those without. Self-efficacy was more strongly associated with intention for those with four year degrees than for those without. Self-efficacy predicted subsequent total leisure time physical activity and the relationship was stronger for respondents over 45 years of age than for those younger than 45. The association between self-efficacy and subsequent total leisure time physical activity was also stronger for respondents with a four year degree than for those without. Home and friend social contexts provide potential conduits for post intervention influence on physical activity behavior. The discussion of the benefits of physical activity among friends may encourage overweight and obese individuals considering exercise, especially those with limited physical activity experiences of their own.Item It Can Wait: Cell Phone Use While Driving And Practical Suggestions For Behavior Change(2018-05) Lee, SojungFor the past few decades since mobile phones have become popularized, cell phone use while driving (CPUWD), mainly texting and calling, has also emerged as a prevalent behavior. The risks associated with it are significant, but there have not been noteworthy reductions in either CPUWD behavior nor in accident rates. Furthermore, the advent of smartphones, voice recognition technology, and built-in displays in cars that connect to phones have made using phones easier, thereby allowing drivers to engage in CPUWD behavior behind the wheel. In addition, CPUWD has not received as much spotlight as have other risky driving behaviors, such as drunk driving or speeding, despite being as dangerous. This thesis endeavors to bring this issue to people’s attention and offer suggestions for combatting it. First, I provide an overview of the dangers of CPUWD, establishing that the behavior critically impairs driving. Then, I describe the current US legislations banning either texting or hand-held phone use while driving, as well as their effects on enhancing road safety. Following that, I analyze the internal and external psychological factors that determine decisions to engage in CPUWD behavior. Finally, based on my examinations, I offer solutions to practically induce behavior changes and prevent CPUWD, emphasizing the need to target the psychological mechanisms underlying the behavior.Item Patient experience and factors influencing willingness to utilize the emergency department among individuals living with sickle cell disease(2023-04-20) Ibiloye, Elizabeth Ayooluwa; Barner, Jamie C.The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the emergency department (ED), and to determine the factors that influence their willingness to use the ED when in pain. This study tested the significance of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) in predicting intention (willingness), and the contribution of additional constructs (prior patient experience and stigma) to the TPB model. The relationships between study constructs and covariates were also assessed. This mixed-methods study sample included SCD patients ≥ 18 years who had previously used the ED. For the qualitative portion, three focus group sessions (N=21 participants) were conducted to elicit the salient beliefs regarding patient experience when seeking care for pain in the ED. Salient beliefs were elicited by asking nine open-ended questions to assess the indirect constructs of the TPB (behavioral beliefs (BBs), normative beliefs (NBs) and control beliefs (CBs)). Eleven BBs, four NBs and ten CBs were identified as salient. The quantitative portion was conducted using a web-based survey that was developed using the TPB constructs and salient beliefs from the focus groups. A total of 114 survey responses were included in the data analyses. Data analyses were conducted using descriptive, bivariate and multivariate methods. The overall TPB model was significant and explained 61% of the variance in participants’ willingness to use the ED while in pain (adjusted R² =0.6102, p<0.0001). Of the TPB constructs, only attitude (b=0.57, p<0.0001) was significant while subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were not significant. ED use was the only significant covariate (b=0.57, p=0.0005). The additional constructs prior patient experience and stigma did not significantly contribute to the TPB model. The findings from this study support the utility of the TPB in describing the experience of SCD patients in the ED, and in predicting the factors that influence their willingness to use the ED when in pain. Interventions that focus on SCD patients’ attitude may be beneficial in increasing their willingness to use the ED when in pain.Item Progression from e-cigarette use to conventional cigarette smoking among adolescents in the United States(2019-05-08) Owotomo, Olusegun Obafemi; Maslowsky, Julie; Perry, Cheryl; Loukas, Alexandra; Pasch, KerynConventional cigarette smoking remains a major cause of significant morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although adolescent cigarette smoking rates have declined over the past decades, e-cigarette use is an emerging public health threat that can potentially stall or reverse this decline. Currently, e-cigarette use has become a social norm with its prevalence surpassing that of conventional cigarette smoking among adolescents. Adolescent e-cigarette users are at heightened risk of nicotine addiction and progressing to conventional cigarette smoking. However, factors underlying this progression are yet to be fully elucidated. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a conceptual framework, I conducted three studies that aimed to identify factors that potentially underlie progression from e-cigarette use to conventional cigarette smoking among US adolescents. With data obtained from two national surveys on adolescent risk behaviors: Monitoring the Future Survey and Population Assessment on Tobacco and Health, I examined smoking-related perceptions that make adolescent e-cigarette users susceptible to conventional cigarette smoking (Study 1); identified subgroups of adolescent e-cigarette users at most risk of exhibiting smoking intention (Study 2); and investigated how e-cigarette use moderates the transition from smoking intention to conventional cigarette smoking (Study 3). These three studies identify actionable predictors of conventional cigarette smoking among adolescent e-cigarette users and highlight potential foci for smoking prevention efforts. Findings suggest that negative attitudes and norms toward conventional cigarette smoking are major factors underlying progression to smoking among adolescent e-cigarette users. Also, three distinct subgroups of adolescent e-cigarette users were identified with each having particular smoking-related characteristics that determine their intention to smoke conventional cigarettes. Finally, transition from smoking intention to smoking initiation is moderated by e-cigarette use status, with smoking intention predicting smoking initiation only among adolescent never e-cigarette users. Adolescent e-cigarette users are at risk of progressing to smoking initiation whether or not they exhibit smoking intention, an indication that the influence of e-cigarette use on cigarette smoking may potentially override the protective effect of lack of smoking intention. Adolescents least likely to initiate conventional cigarette smoking in the current tobacco landscape do not have smoking intention and are abstaining from e-cigarettesItem Understanding the factors that influence women's decisions to use hormone replacement therapy during menopause using the Theory of Planned Behavior(2002-08) Adamus, Andrea Taylor; Shepherd, Marvin D.The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence women's decisions to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior and constructs of risk perception, this study was able to explore the beliefs and attitudes of women about HRT use during menopause. The study was also able to explore how risk perception of HRT and the conditions that affect women during midlife impact their decision to use HRT during that time. Focus groups were conducted to develop the questionnaire used in the larger study. A community-based sample of women from Houston area churches participated in the study. The major theme that emerged from the focus groups was the weighing of cancer risks and the protection benefits of HRT. The most interesting factor that emerged as a barrier to HRT use was "negative publicity" and myths toward taking HRT. Results from the larger study demonstrated that the construct of attitude was the predominate predictor of intention when direct measures were used in a model to predict intention. Meaning that women's attitudes towards HRT use during menopause (whether they are safe, wise to use, good or bad, beneficial, risky, pleasant, or valuable) played a significant role in their intention. In contrast when the belief-based measures were used in the model, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of intention. Meaning that the intention to use HRT was based more on the influence of their husbands, physicians, and families. This also meant that the dosage form, cost, negative publicity, family history of cancer, personal fear of developing cancer, and education about HRT would affect their intention to use HRT during menopause more than the advantages and disadvantages of using HRT (advantages such as protection from osteoporosis, relief from hot flashes; or, disadvantages such as risk of breast cancer). Finally, women's perception of risk with regards to HRT was highest for breast cancer followed by heart disease, endometrial cancer, and osteoporosis. This study found that there are many factors that may affect the decision to use HRT during menopause and that overall these factors affect women’s attitudes towards HRT and their intention to use it.