Predicting Parental Intentions to Enrol Their Children in Swimming Lessons Using an Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour

Abstract

Objective: For children under 15 years, drowning accounts for higher worldwide mortality rates than any other injury source. Our aim was to determine the predictors of parents accessing learn-to-swim classes for their children and whether parents' overall motivation contributed to the explanation of behavioural intention. Using an extended version of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), incorporating past behaviour and parents' health motivation, barriers and benefits associated with parents' intentions to enrol their child/children in learn-to-swim classes were investigated. Method: Parents (N = 114) with school children in Kindergarten up to Year 6 were recruited from Australian rural communities (mean age [M] = 38.2 years; standard deviation [SD] = 7.0). They completed questionnaires including demographic information, swimming ability, direct and belief-based measures of the TPB, past behaviour, and health motivation. Belief-based measures were derived from a pilot study following Ajzen's (1991) guidelines. This was followed by administration of the main questionnaire. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that attitudes and past behaviour, respectively, predicted 55.6% and 4.5% of variance in parental intentions. Multivariate analyses of variance highlighted a number of beliefs that could be targeted in campaigns to encourage parents to involve their children in swimming classes. Conclusions: Recommendations for campaigns targeting this issue include: (a) induce positive attitudes towards enrolling children in swimming lessons and (b) target parents of children not previously enrolled in swimming lessons to influence their future intentions, with a particular focus on attitudes and changing beliefs about behaviours relevant to swimming lessons for their children.

Next steps for drowning prevention in rural and remote Australia: A systematic review of the literature

“…Data time periods ranged from 1987 to 30 June 2019, with one study comparing by remoteness in Western Australia (WA) from 1953‐1962 to 1983‐1992 37 . Studies varied in their use of classification systems for remoteness with 20 studies using standard classification systems, 3,12,18‐27,30,38‐43,46 four studies modifying existing standard classification systems 16,29,44,45 and eight studies using their own classification system (Table ) 28,31‐37 …”

“…Fourteen studies made 27 recommendations regarding prevention strategies for rural drowning. 12,22,23,[28][29][30][31][34][35][36]39,[43][44][45] Of these, only one detailed an evaluated strategy, 30 a water safety training program (including signage and water safety resources) delivered to 11 remote Australian communities. The study found flexible, community-led delivery was a (Table 5).…”

“…Commonly proposed prevention strategies included child safe play areas, specifically on farms to prevent child dam drowning deaths, 31,47,48 flood-related strategies, 23,34 strategies addressing alcohol consumption for rivers, 22 public education 39,44 (commonly for parents and caregivers of young children 31,[34][35][36] ) and strengthening skills in rescue and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) ( Table 5). 12,28,43 When prevention strategies were overlayed against the hierarchy of control, prevention strategies commonly addressed (lower order) behaviour (74.1%).…”

“…Irwin 36 Swimming lessons (enrolment, parental awareness, parental education, transport options) A, B…”

Parental intentions to implement vegetable feeding strategies at home: A cross sectional study

“…Question content and design were also influenced by other studies that have tested aspects of the Theory of Planned Behaviour from various literatures (e.g. Irwin, O'callaghan, & Glendon, 2018;Menozzi, Sogari, Veneziani, Simoni, & Mora, 2017).…”