The influence of student-level normative, control and behavioral beliefs on staying smoke-free: An application of Ajzen's theory of planned behavior

Abstract

This study, the first to examine the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in explaining intentions and behavior to remain smoke-free, generated smoke-free related beliefs in adolescents and examined their association to the TPB global constructs (i.e., attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intention, and behavior) 1 month later in a population of intermediate students (N = 214) in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The results showed that intentions to remain smoke-free were significantly predicted by attitudes and PBC, whereas smoke-free behavior was determined by PBC. From a global TPB perspective, PBC appears to be the dominant variable within the TPB framework on which to guide a smoke-free adolescent intervention. These results have the potential to inform new interventions that address remaining smoke-free that are relevant to adolescents. However, the preliminary nature of these findings warrant further study before any firm conclusions can be drawn.