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Predicting the Use of Complementary Medicine: A Test of the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior 1
Author(s) -
Furnham Adrian,
Lovett Joanna
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2001.tb00192.x
Subject(s) - theory of planned behavior , homeopathy , theory of reasoned action , psychology , social psychology , test (biology) , action (physics) , control (management) , applied psychology , alternative medicine , medicine , paleontology , physics , pathology , quantum mechanics , biology , management , economics
The present study employed the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and its extension, the theory of planned behavior (TPB), to investigate the factors underlying intentions and actual use of homeopathy over a 1‐month period. The study was prospective in design; 349 respondents completed a TPB questionnaire during the first phase of data collection, and 139 respondents were contacted (by telephone) in Phase 2 to provide information regarding their use of homeopathy. The findings provided support for the TPB as a predictor of intentions and use of homeopathy, and demonstrated that the model significantly enhanced the predictive utility of the TRA. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control emerged as significant predictors of intention ( R 2 = .49), while intention predicted behavior ( R 2 = .56). In addition, past behavior significantly contributed to the prediction of intention and behavior.