Competitive Testing of Health Behavior Theories: How Do Benefits, Barriers, Subjective Norm, and Intention Influence Mammography Behavior?. Issue 1 (19th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murphy, Caitlin C.; Vernon, Sally W.; Diamond, Pamela M.; Tiro, Jasmin A.
• Is Part Of: Annals of behavioral medicine. Volume 47:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2013-07-19
• Subjects: Health behavior theory -- Theory testing -- Mammography; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; Sick -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Behavioral Medicine; 616.0019
• DOI: 10.1007/s12160-013-9528-0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-6612

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Competitive hypothesis testing may explain differences in predictive power across multiple health behavior theories. Purpose: We tested competing hypotheses of the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to quantify pathways linking subjective norm, benefits, barriers, intention, and mammography behavior. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal surveys of women veterans randomized to the control group of a mammography intervention trial ( n = 704). We compared direct, partial mediation, and full mediation models with Satorra–Bentler χ 2 difference testing. Results: Barriers had a direct and indirect negative effect on mammography behavior; intention only partially mediated barriers. Benefits had little to no effect on behavior and intention; however, it was negatively correlated with barriers. Subjective norm directly affected behavior and indirectly affected intention through barriers. Conclusions: Our results provide empiric support for different assertions of HBM and TRA. Future interventions should test whether building subjective norm and reducing negative attitudes increases regular mammography.