Rationale for use of the Theory of Planned Behavior
Using Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior to predict and assess the likelihood of behavior change will be useful for health care professionals wishing to provide counsel for early smoking intervention in youths. The theory of planned behavior model has been widely applied for predicting intentions to perform behaviors (Ajzen, 1985). In order to predict a person's behavior, TBP posits that the intention to carry out that behavior is the best predictor of their behavior. In the context of smoking initiation, the TBP is critical in assessing the client's intention to start smoking which is the largest predictor for that client actually changing their smoking behavior (Ajzen, 1991). If, as healthcare professionals, we know what predicts behaviors this theory may help us in properly targeting ways to change those behaviors or intervene before a young adult begins experimenting in order to decrease burden of disease. Many individual studies and meta analyses have shown the TPB to be a useful framework for predicting the intention to take up smoking and the intention to quit smoking (Rise, 2008; Armitage, 2001; Topa, 2010; Alanazi, 2017; Moan, 2005). It has also shown utility in predicting other health behaviors such as exercise and condom use (Symons, 2005; Albarracin, 2001).
To fully assesses the influences on the client and what area is most strongly pressing them to initiate smoking three types of questions can be assessed of clients:
Are they in favor of avoiding smoking/quitting smoking? (their attitude)
What social pressure they feel to start, continue or discontinue smoking? (subjective norms)
Do they feel in control of the factors influencing smoking or smoking cessation and are these making quitting easy or difficult? (perceived behavioral control)
Using Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior to predict and assess the likelihood of behavior change will be useful for health care professionals wishing to provide counsel for early smoking intervention in youths. The theory of planned behavior model has been widely applied for predicting intentions to perform behaviors (Ajzen, 1985). In order to predict a person's behavior, TBP posits that the intention to carry out that behavior is the best predictor of their behavior. In the context of smoking initiation, the TBP is critical in assessing the client's intention to start smoking which is the largest predictor for that client actually changing their smoking behavior (Ajzen, 1991). If, as healthcare professionals, we know what predicts behaviors this theory may help us in properly targeting ways to change those behaviors or intervene before a young adult begins experimenting in order to decrease burden of disease. Many individual studies and meta analyses have shown the TPB to be a useful framework for predicting the intention to take up smoking and the intention to quit smoking (Rise, 2008; Armitage, 2001; Topa, 2010; Alanazi, 2017; Moan, 2005). It has also shown utility in predicting other health behaviors such as exercise and condom use (Symons, 2005; Albarracin, 2001).
To fully assesses the influences on the client and what area is most strongly pressing them to initiate smoking three types of questions can be assessed of clients:
Are they in favor of avoiding smoking/quitting smoking? (their attitude)
What social pressure they feel to start, continue or discontinue smoking? (subjective norms)
Do they feel in control of the factors influencing smoking or smoking cessation and are these making quitting easy or difficult? (perceived behavioral control)