An Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) Used to Predict Smoking Behavior Among a Sample of Iranian Medical Students

Abstract

Background:Smoking among the youth is an important public health concern. Although several studies have investigated the correlates of smoking behavior, no theory-based study has particularly assessed this problem among medical students.Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict smoking behavior among a sample of Iranian medical students.Patients and Methods:This is a cross-sectional study carried out in Ahvaz, Iran, 2014. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, which included items on demographics, smoking behavior, and components of the TPB model (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and intention), and an added construct on smoking refusal skill. Data were analyzed using descriptive correlation, and linear regression statistics by SPSS, version 16.Results:One hundred and seventy medical students with a mean age of 21.25 (SD = 2.9) years were enrolled in the study. Of them, 24 (13.5%) students were smokers. All components of the TPB model and smoking refusal skill were statistically significant as to intention to smoke (P < 0.001). The TPB constructs with and without smoking refusal skill accounted for 77% (adjusted R2) and 78% of the variance observed for intention to smoke, respectively. The results also revealed the highest weight for perceived behavior control (β= -0.40).Conclusions:The findings of this study indicated that all TPB variables are useful tools for prediction of the smoking behaviors among students. Particularly, students’ perceived behavioral control and attitudes towards smoking were found to be important determinants of smoking intentions. Thus, the findings could be used for planning effective tobacco control programs targeting University students.

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“…However, although widely used, over the years, the TPB has suffered various criticisms due to its presumed poor predictive efficacy, related, in particular to the use of an insufficient number of variables to explain the reasons pushing individuals to undertake a given behavior in certain circumstances [14][15][16].…”

Theory of Planned Behavior: Analysis of Factors AffectingthePreventive Behaviors of Alcohol Consumption and Smoking among Students from West Kalimantan, in Yogyakarta

“…Hal ini juga didukung oleh penelitian Mcgee at al (2015), dimana tidak terdapat pengaruh langsung sikap terhadap perilaku pencegahan merokok, namun sikap dapat melalui niat dalam mempengaruhi perilaku pencegahan merokok pada individu (Mcgee et al, 2015). Sikap juga merupakan faktor yang signifikan dalam memprediksi niat untuk melakukan perilaku seperti merokok (Karimy et al, 2015).…”

“…Salah satunya yaitu penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Merken et al (2011), hasil penelitiannya menyatakan bahwa norma subjektif memiliki hubungan yang lemah dengan perilaku merokok, namun norma subjektif tetap memiliki hubungan yang signifikan dengan perilaku merokok melalui niat untuk merokok (Merken et al, 2011). Menurut penelitian Cooke et al (2014) dan penelitian Karimy et al (2015), Norma subjektif juga mempengaruhi perilaku seseorang untuk mengonsumsi alkohol (Cooke et al, 2014).…”

Knowledge and Attitudes of University Students Towards Hookah Smoking in Fasa, Iran

“…In other words, in studies in which researchers look for a way to raise awareness and change participants' attitudes and behaviors, application of theories and models of behavior and choice change and use of a systematic method are essential (10). Health education researchers have proposed different psychological and social models for behavior change (11). The theoretical framework used in this study to assess students' beliefs about smoking cessation is the theory of planned behavior (TPB), Copyright which is one of the prevailing theories of behavior change and prediction.…”