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The Theory of Reasoned Action as a Model of Children's Health Behavior 1
Author(s) -
Morrison Diane M.,
Mar Corinne M.,
Wells Elizabeth A.,
Gillmore Mary Rogers,
Hoppe Marilyn J.,
Wilsdon Anthony,
Murowchick Elise,
Archibald Matthew E.
Publication year - 2002
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.1559-1816.2002.tb01863.x
Subject(s) - theory of reasoned action , structural equation modeling , psychology , social psychology , action (physics) , path analysis (statistics) , norm (philosophy) , developmental psychology , statistics , mathematics , epistemology , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics
This research examined the applicability of the theory of reasoned action to school‐age children. Using structural equation modeling, we longitudinally modeled children's attitudes, norms, intentions, and behavior with regard to drinking alcohol. Respondents were 1,061 children attending public schools in the northwestern United States. Attitude, norms, and intentions (measured when the children were in 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grades) were used to predict alcohol use 1 year later. Two modifications of the model improved the overall fit at each grade level: separating attitude into 2 dimensions (positive and negative), and adding a path from social norm to behavior. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.