RESUMEN
This preliminary study evaluated a brief intervention, based on the theory of planned behavior, designed to encourage high school students to practice testicular self-examination (TSE). Ninety-nine male ninth and 10th grade students were exposed to a message challenging beliefs about outcomes of performing TSE as suggested by the theory of planned behavior, a message providing information about TSE and testicular cancer, or a control message, after which they completed a questionnaire operationalizing components of the theoretical model. Four weeks later, students reported their practice of TSE. As predicted, students exposed to the theory-based message reported a stronger intention to perform TSE and, at follow-up, were more likely to report having performed the exam than study participants exposed to other messages. Data provide partial support for the utility of the theory of planned behavior as a framework for constructing health-promoting messages. Future research recommendations are offered.
Asunto(s)
Autoexamen/psicología , Neoplasias Testiculares/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Modelos Psicológicos , Análisis Multivariante , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
This study investigated whether adolescents attend to the health-risk warnings placed on smokeless tobacco products and the impact the warnings have on intentions to use such products. The subjects (86 male and 106 female high school students) viewed illustrations of five consumer products, including a can of oral snuff and a pouch of chewing tobacco displaying one of the three required health warnings or no warning, and then indicated via questionnaire the likelihood that they would use each of the products. Fewer than half of the subjects (43.4%) exposed to the warnings recalled seeing them, and approximately a third of those who saw the warnings (32.2%) recalled the content of the message. Males were significantly better than females (p less than .02) at recalling the content. A series of 2 x 4 (Sex x Warning Label) ANOVAs revealed that the warning labels had no significant effect on subjects' ratings of whether they would use smokeless tobacco in the future. These results question the effectiveness of the warning labels for discouraging adolescent smokeless tobacco use.
Asunto(s)
Actitud Frente a la Salud , Nicotiana , Plantas Tóxicas , Etiquetado de Productos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Tabaquismo/prevención & control , Tabaco sin Humo , Adolescente , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Factores de Riesgo , Tabaquismo/complicacionesRESUMEN
Identified factors associated with testicular self-examination (TSE) within the context of the theory of reasoned action. Subjects (232 male college students) received instruction in TSE and completed a questionnaire operationalizing the components of the theoretical model. During the following 6 weeks, a field intervention was conducted in which approximately half the subjects were exposed to posters reminding them to perform the exam. Multiple-regression analyses revealed that intention to perform TSE correlated significantly with attitude and subjective norm and that consideration of self-efficacy and TSE knowledge improved the prediction of intention. Significant differences in outcome expectancies and normative beliefs were found between subjects who intended to perform the exam and those who did not. Intention was moderately (r = .30, p less than .001) correlated with behavior; the intention-behavior correlation, however, was stronger among subjects who intended to perform the exam and were exposed to the posters (r = .55, p less than .001).
Asunto(s)
Actitud Frente a la Salud , Palpación , Neoplasias Testiculares/prevención & control , Testículo , Adulto , Educación en Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Motivación , Palpación/psicología , Neoplasias Testiculares/psicologíaRESUMEN
This study identified psychosocial variables associated with smokeless tobacco use within the context of the reasoned action theory. One hundred twelve male students, ages ten-14, completed a questionnaire that operationalized components of the theoretical model. Multiple regression analyses revealed intention to use smokeless tobacco correlated significantly with attitude toward the behavior and perceived social pressure. As predicted by the theory, significant differences between those who intended to use smokeless tobacco and those who did not were found on several outcome and normative beliefs. The data support the utility of the theory as a means of explaining smokeless tobacco use. Future research recommendations are offered.
Asunto(s)
Modelos Psicológicos , Nicotiana , Plantas Tóxicas , Tabaco sin Humo , Adolescente , Niño , Humanos , Masculino , Motivación , Padres , Grupo ParitarioRESUMEN
The utility of disulfiram in the treatment of alcohol abuse has been limited by the high frequency with which clients refuse the regimen. The present study identified variables influencing disulfiram acceptance/rejection within the framework of the theory of reasoned action. Eighty male inpatients on an alcohol treatment unit completed a questionnaire operationalizing the components of the model. The theoretical components were then used to predict requests for the drug. Multiple regression analyses revealed significant correlations among components of the model consistent with the assumptions of the theory. In addition, significant differences were found between disulfiram requestors and rejectors in terms of behavioral and normative beliefs about the consequences of being placed on the drug. Implications of these results for the design of effective interventions are discussed.