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Aghazadeh N, Jabbari Farooji S, Haghani S, Amini L. Effectiveness of multimedia education on the childbearing intention in one-child women: a field trial study. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 24:921. [PMID: 39183310 PMCID: PMC11346200 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05784-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND childbearing is a key component of population movements and sustainable development in low-fertility nations. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the impact of multimedia education on the childbearing intention in One-child women of Maragheh city. METHOD In this intervention study in Maragheh in 2023, 94 women with one child were randomly selected and placed in two intervention and control groups. Before the intervention, people were examined using demographic information and Miller's questionnaire of desire to have children. Then, For the intervention group, three 60-minute multimedia training videos were shown in person for three weeks, and the control group did not receive any training. The data were collected using the researcher's demographic questionnaire and Miller's childbearing questionnaire in three stages before the intervention, immediately after and six weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 16 software. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the average score of desire to have children and demographic variables (p > 0.05). Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the demographic characteristics of the subjects and the average score of women's willingness to have children in the positive and negative dimensions. While after the multimedia educational intervention, the average score of desire to have children in positive and negative dimensions, immediately after the intervention and six weeks after the intervention, had a significant difference compared to before the intervention (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The findings of the study showed that carrying out multimedia educational interventions to single-child women can have a positive effect on their desire to have children. It seems that the implementation of such programs is effective in the conscious decision of families to have children and ultimately increases the intention of the individual to carry out the behavior. TRIAL REGISTRATION Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20230227057549N1. Date of registration: 16/04/2023. URL: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasrin Aghazadeh
- Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | | | - Shima Haghani
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center (NCRC), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Amini
- Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center (NCRC), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Ranjbar M, Rahimi MK, Heidari E, Bahariniya S, Alimondegari M, Lotfi MH, Shafaghat T. What factors influence couples' decisions to have children? Evidence from a systematic scoping review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:223. [PMID: 38539104 PMCID: PMC10967062 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06385-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the most significant demographic challenges over the past three decades has been the substantial reduction in fertility rates, worldwidely. As a developing country, Iran has also experienced a rapid decline in fertility over the past decades. Understanding factors influencing fertility is essential for development programs. Moreover, it's crucial to study the parameters that affect the intention for childbearing in any society. Therefore, through a systematic scoping review, the present study investigates the factors influencing couples' decisions toward childbearing. METHODS This study was a systematic scoping review conducted in 2023. To design and conduct this scoping review, Joanna Briggs Institute's Protocol (Institute TJB, The Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers ' manual 2015; methodology for JBI scoping reviews, 2015) was used and the framework presented by Levac et al. (2010) was also used as a guide for conducting this review. Studies were searched in three main databases including ISI Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus, using a predefined search strategy. Google Scholar was also used for complementary search. The search period was from 2002 to 2022. RESULTS A total of 18,454 studies were identified across three primary databases. After evaluating articles in three distinct phases based on title, abstract, and full-text, 46 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in the scoping review. The qualitative analysis of the collected data from the selected studies through the scoping review led to classifying factors influencing households' desire for childbearing into eight main themes and 101 sub-themes. The main themes associated with factors impacting households' intention for childbearing encompass individual determinants, demographic and familial influencing factors, cultural elements, social factors, health-related aspects, economic considerations, insurance-related variables, and government support/incentive policies. CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive and holistic attention from governments and officials toward the various factors affecting households' intention and behavior regarding childbearing appears beneficial and effective. Furthermore, given the relative ineffectiveness of some of the current government's supportive/incentive policies to increase couples' desire for childbearing, it seems necessary to review and amend these policies. This review should address the most significant challenges and factors contributing to couples' reluctance to childbearing or strengthen factors that can play a substantial role in fostering fertility and childbearing desires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ranjbar
- Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Management and Health Economics Sciences, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kazem Rahimi
- Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Management and Health Economics Sciences, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Edris Heidari
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajjad Bahariniya
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Hasan Lotfi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Spritual Health Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Tahereh Shafaghat
- Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Management and Health Economics Sciences, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
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Moridi M, Damghanian M, Keshaverz S. An integrated theory based-educational intervention to change intention to have a child: study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial. Reprod Health 2024; 21:30. [PMID: 38418984 PMCID: PMC10900692 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-024-01760-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In high- and low-income countries, declining birth rates have become a global concern. Couples do not have enough information about the complications of delaying and reducing childbearing and this leads them to make inappropriate decisions. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether an educational program based on integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM) affects child-free couples' intention to have children and minimizes the consequences of this decline. METHODS Thirty couples (intervention, n = 15; control, n = 15) will be enrolled in this cluster randomized controlled trial. After collecting baseline data and separating participants in the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages based on the TTM, the samples were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group will receive 60-min training based on TPB components for 4 weeks. The first follow-up assessment was performed immediately after the intervention and the final assessment 6 months later. For all 3 time assessments, three questionnaires will be used: The knowledge questionnaire, the TTM, and the TPB questionnaire. The most important consequences are changes in knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and stages of intentions to have children. DISCUSSION Decision-makers will use the results of this study as a basis to design appropriate, transparent, and useful policies and interventions to improve or stop the decline of the fertility rate at the national level. Also, this study will help young couples who wish to have a child in their lifetime by providing relevant information so that they do not miss this opportunity and face the consequences of delaying having a child. Trial registration This study was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), Number: IRCT20220618055210N2, Date of registration: 2023-10-03.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Moridi
- Reproductive Health and Midwifery Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Damghanian
- Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Keshaverz
- Reproductive Health and Midwifery Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Martins MV, Koert E, Sylvest R, Maeda E, Moura-Ramos M, Hammarberg K, Harper J. Fertility education: recommendations for developing and implementing tools to improve fertility literacy†. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:293-302. [PMID: 38088127 PMCID: PMC10833069 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Many recent societal trends have led to the need for fertility education, including the age at which individuals become parents, the development of new reproductive technologies, and family diversity. Fertility awareness has emerged as a concept very recently and is increasingly gaining recognition. However, fertility education is often neglected as there is no consensus on the appropriate content, target populations, or on who should provide it. This article attempts to provide an overview of the use of interventions to improve fertility education. We emphasize the importance of delivering evidence-based information on fertility and reproductive health through various methods while providing guidelines for their standardization and systematization. Recommendations are provided to aid the development and implementation of fertility education tools, including: the establishment of a comprehensive understanding of the target populations; the incorporation of theories of behavioural change; the inclusion of the users' perspectives and the use of participatory research; and the use of specific guidelines for increasing engagement. By following these recommendations, it is expected that fertility education resources can contribute to improving fertility literacy, empowering individuals and couples to make informed reproductive decisions, and ultimately reducing the incidence of infertility and need for fertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana V Martins
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Psychology at University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Emily Koert
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Randi Sylvest
- The Fertility Department, University hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eri Maeda
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mariana Moura-Ramos
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Karin Hammarberg
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joyce Harper
- EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
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Wang L, Han C, Lv X, Zeng S, Mu R, Deng Y, Xie W, Huang J, Wu S, Zhang Y, Zhang H, He Y, Peng Z, Wang Y, Shen H, Wang Q, Zhang Y, Yan D, Yang Y, Ma X. Structural transition of parenthood among Chinese nulliparous couples with planned pregnancies, 2013-2019. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2412. [PMID: 38049775 PMCID: PMC10696718 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17380-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The postponement of parenthood is a global public health issue that has received attention of many public health experts. However, few studies have investigated the postponement in marriage age, marriage and conception interval, and pregnancy age in terms of demographic and regional heterogenicities. METHODS This is a cross-sectional, registry-based study, and a total of 13 894 601 nulliparous couples who participated in the National Free Pre-Pregnancy Check-ups Project and became pregnant during 2013-2019 were included. We calculated annual percentage change and forest plots for marriage age, marriage and conception interval, and pregnancy age. RESULTS Late marriage (marriage age ≥ 35 years), long marriage and conception interval (marriage and conception interval ≥ 2 years), and advanced pregnancy (pregnancy age ≥ 35 years) increased from 1.20%, 22.01%, and 1.88% in 2013 to 1.69%, 32.75%, and 2.79% in 2019, respectively. The corresponding annual percentage changes were 6.55%, 8.44%, and 8.17%. Participants without higher education had a higher annual percentage change, but comparable prevalence for long marriage and conception interval with participants with higher education. Participants residing in second- or new first-tier cities, and the northeast of China who had a higher prevalence of parenthood postponement also had higher corresponding annual percentage changes. CONCLUSIONS Structural postponement of parenthood with demographic and regional heterogenicities was observed among Chinese nulliparous couples with planned pregnancies during 2013-2019. Inclusive and comprehensive parenting support should be developed and implemented in mainland China to minimize the negative health effects arising from the postponement, especially for couples without higher education and living in new first/second-tier cities or the northeast China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Wang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chunying Han
- Institute of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Lv
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Zeng
- Institute of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Rongwei Mu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuzhi Deng
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlu Xie
- Institute of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiaxin Huang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Siyu Wu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ya Zhang
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Hongguang Zhang
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan He
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Zuoqi Peng
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Haiping Shen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, National Health Commission of the PRC, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaomei Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, National Health Commission of the PRC, Beijing, China
| | - Yiping Zhang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, National Health Commission of the PRC, Beijing, China
| | - Donghai Yan
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, National Health Commission of the PRC, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Yang
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China.
- National Human Genetic Resources Centre, Beijing, China.
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Xu Ma
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China.
- National Human Genetic Resources Centre, Beijing, China.
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Ghasemi J, Safizadeh M, Khajeh Z, Nakhaee N. Immediate Antecedents of Intentions for Having Children in Southeast Iranian Women. Korean J Fam Med 2023; 44:289-294. [PMID: 37599004 PMCID: PMC10522470 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.23.0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the last decade, Iran has experienced a declining birth trend. Identifying the proximate determinants of fertility intentions among married women is informative for population studies. This study aimed to examine the importance of three immediate antecedents of fertility intention. METHODS We invited 1,100 married women to complete a well-validated questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The sampling framework consisted of visitors attending hospitals in two cities in southeastern Iran. Intention for having children was measured using the item "Do you intend to have a/another child during the next 3 years?" Attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were measured using eight, three, and three items, respectively. Structural equation modeling was used to specify the model and to test the predictive ability of the TPB constructs. RESULTS The response rate was 90.7% (N=998), and the mean±standard deviation age of the respondents was 34.8±7.4 years. More than 50% of the respondents reported intending to have a child in the next 3 years. All three TPB model constructs showed significant associations with fertility intentions. The standardized beta coefficients for attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were 0.74, 0.41, and 0.55, respectively. CONCLUSION The TPB model showed that psychological mechanisms play an important role in predicting the childbearing intentions of married women in Iran. Of the three TPB constructs, attitude was the strongest predictor of the intention to have a child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Ghasemi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mansoureh Safizadeh
- Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Khajeh
- Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Nouzar Nakhaee
- Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Chen T, Hou P, Wu T, Yang J. The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Fertility Intentions of Women with Childbearing Age in China. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:335. [PMID: 36135139 PMCID: PMC9495656 DOI: 10.3390/bs12090335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
On 31 May 2021, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China proposed the policy that a couple can have three children, and rolled out more supportive measures to further optimize the fertility policies. However, while the Chinese government is further optimizing its fertility policy, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 is raging around the world, which threatens the implementation of China's fertility optimization policy. Based on this, this paper firstly explores the impact of COVID-19 on women's fertility intentions. Secondly, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this paper constructs a structural equation model to quantitatively reveal the specific factors that affect women's fertility intentions under the epidemic, as well as their impact paths, and then puts forward corresponding suggestions for the government to solve the problem of fertility, aiming at delaying population aging and optimizing population structure. The research results show that: (1) COVID-19 lowers the fertility intentions of women of childbearing age. (2) During the pandemic, economic pressure emerged as the biggest factor affecting women's fertility intentions. The decline in income caused by the pandemic has become an important factor in preventing women from having children. (3) The conflict between work and childbearing is still an important factor affecting the fertility intentions of women of childbearing age. The government's provision of perfect childcare services and their strengthening of the protection of women's employment rights and interests will greatly reduce women's anxiety about childbearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinggui Chen
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Statistical Data Engineering Technology & Application, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Peixin Hou
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Tiantian Wu
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Jianjun Yang
- Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA 30566, USA
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Wahyuningsih W, Putri D, Endriyani L, Nurunniyah S, Misali SACA, Hadi H. Parity and Pregnancy Intention related to the Use of Contraceptives in Women of Reproductive. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.9495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The use of contraceptives in reproductive women is still a problem today. The association between contraceptive use and parity and pregnancy intention amongs legally married reproductive women has never been studied
Objectives: To determine the relationship between parity and pregnancy intention with contraceptive use among legally married women.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with the involvement of 262 legally-married reproductive women, aged 15-49 years, in Bantul District, Indonesia. Socio-demographic data including age, education, income, parity, pregnancy intentions, and use of contraceptives were collected using a structured questionnaire by trained enumerators. Chi-square test was used to test the association between socio-demographic data and parity and pregnancy intention, while simple logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between contraceptive use and parity and pregnancy intention. Data analysis was performed using statistical software by SPSS.
Results: Thirty-eight point five per cent of women of reproductive age who have ≥ 3 children and 16.5% of women of reproductive age who do not want to have children do not use contraception. Parity in women of childbearing age was not related to contraceptives (OR=2.58; 95%:0.67-1.76). Women of reproductive age who had intention of getting pregnant were 61% less likely (OR= 0.39; 95%: 0.37-0.74) to use contraceptives than those who did not have intention of getting pregnant.
Conclusions: The pregnancy intention is associated with a low contraceptive use in reproductive-age women. Thus, it is necessary to educate women in the reproductive age, their partners and family regarding the importance of birth spacing.
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Effect of Educational Program Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior on the Childbearing Intention in One-Child Women. JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.52547/jech.8.4.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Lazar IM, Panisoara G, Panisoara IO. Digital technology adoption scale in the blended learning context in higher education: Development, validation and testing of a specific tool. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235957. [PMID: 32649691 PMCID: PMC7351189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The main aim of the present study was to develop, validate and test an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) that contributes to the overall understanding of students' intention to use digital tools in a blended learning context of higher education. The external bidimensional factor of familiarity with digital tools, which is not usually explained by the TAM, was included, and evaluated. Following a four-stage scale development technique, a seven-dimensional 25-item survey was developed, which includes two external correlated variables: familiarity with high-tech digital tools and familiarity with traditional digital tools, two mediator variables—computer anxiety, and perceived barriers, and three response variables, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and intention to use. The initial version of the survey was administered on 250 undergraduate students. Next, for another sample of 206 students, latent dimensions of the survey were tested using exploratory factor analysis. The structure of the survey was validated in two other subsequent stages with one sample of 262 responses of undergraduates and one of 310 responses of master's students from two different universities. All students who agreed to participate in research attended blended learning. The validity, reliability and invariance of the instrument were established by psychometric analyses. Collected data indicated that the survey has an adequate multifactorial structure that is reliable and invariant across degree levels. The scale is recommended for use in higher education studies targeting the promotion of blended learning and reduction of negative attitudes of learners toward digital instruments, supporting university professors to select their own efficient way to teach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliana Mihaela Lazar
- Department of Teacher Training, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- * E-mail:
| | - Georgeta Panisoara
- Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ion Ovidiu Panisoara
- Department of Teacher Training, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
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