Self-efficacy, reasoned action, and oral health behavior reports: A social cognitive approach to compliance

Abstract

The usefulness of a social cognitive approach to compliance with brushing and flossing behavior recommendations was tested with 39 patients recruited from the State University of New York at Buffalo Periodontal Disease Clinical Research Center. Participants completed mailed study instruments assessing Fishbein and Ajzen's theory of reasoned action variables, Bandura's self-efficacy variables, and frequency of brushing and flossing behavior. Results indicated positive attitudes, beliefs, and norms for brushing and flossing and positive intentions to brush but less intention to floss. Hierarchical regression analyses supported the basic usefulness of the theory of reasoned action for oral health behavior reports. Addition of self-efficacy variables to theory of reasoned action variables significantly increased the explained variance of brushing and flossing behavior reports. These results establish a strong basis for future clinical studies investigating social cognitions and the prediction of oral health behavior.

Association Between Self-Efficacy and Oral Self-Care Behaviours in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

“…In the dental field, the relationship between self-efficacy and oral hygiene behaviour, such as toothbrushing or flossing, has been examined in several studies (McCaul et al, 1985;Tedesco et al, 1991Tedesco et al, , 1992Stewart et al, 1997;Syrjälä et al, 1999Syrjälä et al, , 2004. McCaul et al (1985) analysed self-efficacy among college students with respect to brushing and flossing to predict task-related behaviours, and found that the retrospectively self-reported and prospective frequency of the two examined oral care factors were significantly associated with self-efficacy.…”

“…McCaul et al (1985) analysed self-efficacy among college students with respect to brushing and flossing to predict task-related behaviours, and found that the retrospectively self-reported and prospective frequency of the two examined oral care factors were significantly associated with self-efficacy. Subsequently, Tedesco et al (1991) reported that the addition of selfefficacy variables to the theory of reasoned action variables markedly increased the observed variance in brushing and flossing behaviours. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that cognitive behavioural intervention resulted in a delayed relapse in protective oral selfcare behaviour and improved self-efficacy towards flossing (Tedesco et al, 1991).…”

“…Subsequently, Tedesco et al (1991) reported that the addition of selfefficacy variables to the theory of reasoned action variables markedly increased the observed variance in brushing and flossing behaviours. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that cognitive behavioural intervention resulted in a delayed relapse in protective oral selfcare behaviour and improved self-efficacy towards flossing (Tedesco et al, 1991). These researchers further analysed the associations between oral health behaviour and self-efficacy and the TRA, and found that linking the variables of the two theories significantly increased the variance in the brushing and flossing behaviours (Tedesco et al, 1992).…”

Gingivitis Control

“…This process however, is dependent on behavioural changes and changes in relation to thoughts and beliefs regarding oral health (Tedesco, et al, 1991). Patient compliance is necessary for the successful outcome of preventive or treatment recommendations (Blinkhorn, Non-compliance with oral self-care recommendations is the key problem in the prevention of poor oral health (Widström, 2004).…”

Communication and Community

“…According to dental studies, self-efficacy have been found to relate to tooth brushing and flossing (McCaul et al 1985, Tedesco et al 1991. Self-efficacy concerning tooth brushing and flossing have been found to associate with the frequencies of tooth brushing, flossing and dental visiting (Stewart et al 1997), but self-efficacy has not been found to associate with the oral hygiene status (Wolfe et al 1991).…”