Using three-phase theory-based formative research to explore healthy eating in Australian truck drivers

Young children's motivations and social cognitions toward swimming: Testing direct and moderation effects of sport competence in two large-scale studies

Direct and moderation effects of swimming competence using an integrated model of self-determination theory (SDT) and theory of planned behaviour (TPB) were examined in two large-scale studies among young children. Specifically, we examined whether swimming competence had direct and moderation effects on social psychological variables of perceived need support, autonomous motivation, TPB social cognition constructs, and intention. In Study 1, using a cross-sectional survey of 4959 primary school children, swimming competence formed significant positive relationships with all model variables (β =.061 to.330, p < .05) except intention (β = -.009, p > .05), and its moderation effect on model parameters were small in size or not statistically significant. In Study 2, using a pre-post-test quasi-experiment among 1,609 primary school children, improvement of swimming competence was associated with change-scores in all model variables (β =.046 to.230, p < .05) except subjective norm (β =.049, p > .05). Swimming competence did not significantly moderate the parameter estimates of the integrated model (p > .05) at the change-score level. Findings indicate that swimming competence is associated with higher autonomous motivation; TPB social cognitions of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control; and intention. However, swimming competence did not moderate the parameter estimates of the integrated model.

Identifying Promising Messages to Increase Hurricane Mitigation Among Coastal Homeowners in the United States

Hurricanes threaten the physical and financial well-being of coastal residents throughout the United States. Though hurricane-related losses are largely avoidable through property mitigation (e.g., structural modifications to existing homes), few homeowners invest in mitigation. Communication campaigns, which have influenced risk-related behaviors in other domains, hold promise for persuading coastal residents to engage in hurricane mitigation. The development of successful campaign messages relies, in part, on formative research to assess the potential influence of candidate message strategies. We present results from mixed-methods, theory-driven research to identify promising beliefs for persuading homeowners in coastal/coastal-adjacent regions of Alabama and Florida to install a high wind-resistant (HWR) roof. In Study 1, we elicited homeowners' (n = 74) salient behavioral, normative, and control beliefs about installing an HWR roof. Using established procedures, we content analyzed open-ended responses and categorized them by thematic content. In Study 2, we surveyed another sample of homeowners (n = 533) to examine the extent to which salient beliefs/themes about installing an HWR roof (elicited in Study 1) are promising targets for a communication campaign, given their associations with homeowners' intentions to retrofit. Results demonstrate that across elicited beliefs, common themes include the protection and property resilience reroofing affords, and anticipated expenses and financial barriers associated with reroofing. The most promising beliefs include behavioral beliefs that installing an HWR roof will protect oneself and one's family, and normative beliefs about the likelihood that one's family and community will install an HWR roof. We discuss the implications of findings for the development of hurricane mitigation messaging.

Predictors of Intentions to Make Healthier Eating Choices among Midwestern Truck Drivers

Truck drivers constitute a highly vulnerable population with very limited opportunities for healthy foods and healthy eating choices. This cross-sectional study assessed the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in understanding and predicting healthy eating intention among Midwestern truck drivers in the United States. Participants were recruited through online trucker forums and advertisements at truck stops. Each participant completed an anonymous, web-based questionnaire that measured attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. One hundred and forty-six truck drivers responded, with the average Body Mass Index (BMI) 32.7 and working as a truck driver for 10.3 years. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis assessed the predictive value of individual TPB constructs and the model. The predictive model containing the TPB constructs explained 18% of the variance in healthy eating intention, with attitude and subjective norm making significant and unique contributions. With the variance explained, the findings minimally supported the utility of TPB in understanding and predicting healthy eating intention among the truck drivers. These findings should be interpreted in view of the study limitations; the small sample size and being a self-report study. Notwithstanding, the findings highlight the importance of attitude and subjective norms in understanding and predicting healthy eating intention among Midwestern truck drivers in the United States.

Socioeconomic Status and the Prediction of Health Promoting Dietary Behaviours: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour

BACKGROUND

Dietary behaviours are strongly patterned by socioeconomic status (SES). However, the role of SES in the self-regulation of health promoting dietary behaviours is not fully understood. This systematic review with meta-analysis investigated whether four individual-level measures of SES (income, occupation, education, and ethnicity) moderate the relationships between Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) variables and different health promoting dietary behaviours in adults.

METHODS

A systematic literature search identified 106 studies from 77 articles providing information on TPB variables, SES, and health promoting dietary behaviours-choosing health promoting foods and restricting health compromising foods. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to generate pooled correlations corrected for sampling and measurement error, and meta-regression was used to test moderating effects of study-level SES.

RESULTS

All TPB variables were significantly and positively associated with both health promoting dietary behaviours, with intention having the strongest correlation with behaviour. However, none of the relationships between TPB variables and health promoting dietary behaviours were significantly moderated by study-level SES.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest robust associations between TPB predictors and healthy dietary behaviour that are not patterned by individual-level SES measures.

Sun protection and young female beachgoers: A formative theory-based approach to identifying key sun safe beliefs

ISSUE ADDRESSED

The prevalence of skin cancer remains at a high level in Australia. Young female Australian beachgoers are an at-risk population of skin cancer. Research on sun-protective beliefs held by this at-risk group is limited.

METHODS

Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), we conducted a formative study to understand key sun safe messages among young female beachgoers in Queensland, including an elicitation study (Phase 1; N = 21, M_age  = 24.30 years) and a two-wave questionnaire survey (Phase 2; N = 140, M_age  = 23.96 years).

RESULTS

Following content analysis and regression analyses, three key beliefs were identified: "be uncomfortable and/or unstylish" (behavioural belief), "friends and peers" (normative belief) and "lack of motivation to reapply sunscreen" (control belief).

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the influences of friends and peers on beachgoers' sun-protective behaviour for this young female adult cohort. Compared to previous findings among the general population, discrepancies in beliefs suggest interventions targeting this cohort should specifically focus on fashionable sun safe images and motivation to reapply sunscreen. SO WHAT?: Future health promotion and public education should utilise various strategies according to specific groups given the discrepancies identified in beliefs. For female beachgoers, sun safe images and motivations should be the primary foci.

Being active in pregnancy: Theory-based factors associated with physical activity among pregnant women

Although regular physical activity is recommended for pregnant women, compared to pre-pregnancy, antenatal physical activity often reduces or ceases completely. Drawing from the theory of planned behavior, self-determination theory, and theory on self-control, we aimed to test an integrative model of physical activity in a sample of pregnant women. The current study was conducted in Brisbane, Australia, in 2014-2015 using a prospective-correlational design with a one-week follow-up. Participants (N = 207, Time 1; Meanage = 30.03 years, SDage = 4.49 years) completed an initial survey measuring: intrinsic motivation from the self-determination theory, social cognitive constructs from the theory of planned behavior, and self-control from the self-control theory, followed by a self-report measure of physical activity one-week later (n = 117, Time 2). A well-fitting structural equation model accounted for 73 and 42 percent of the variance in intention and physical activity behavior, respectively. Perceived behavioral control and attitude, but not subjective norm, mediated the effect of intrinsic motivation on intention. Intention, perceived behavioral control, and self-control were positively associated with physical activity behavior. Future behavioral interventions aiming to promote physical activity during pregnancy, a period when the physical activity levels typically decline, should consider the multiple processes advocated in the integrative model as necessary for motivated action.

The Identification of Reasons, Solutions, and Techniques Informing a Theory-Based Intervention Targeting Recreational Sports Participation

PURPOSE

This study is the 3rd piece of formative research utilizing the theory of planned behavior to inform the development of a behavior change intervention. Focus groups were used to identify reasons for and solutions to previously identified key beliefs in addition to potentially effective behavior change techniques.

METHOD

A purposive sample of 22 first-year undergraduate students (n = 8 men; M_age = 19.8 years, SD = 1.3 years) attending a university in the North of England was used. Focus groups were audio-recorded; recordings were transcribed verbatim, analyzed thematically, and coded for recurrent themes.

RESULTS

The data revealed 14 reasons regarding enjoyment, 11 reasons for friends' approval, 11 reasons for friends' own participation, 14 reasons for the approval of family members, and 10 solutions to time constraints. Twelve distinct techniques were suggested to attend to these reasons and solutions.

CONCLUSION

This qualitative research will be used to inform the development of a theory-based intervention to increase students' participation in university recreational sports.