The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42275

J. Don Chaney, MS¹, Rachel L. Abbott, MS¹, Barry Hunt, EdD², and Stuart Usdan, PhD, CHES³. (1) The Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Box 870311, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0311, 205-348-8366, chane003@bama.ua.edu, (2) HPERS, Mississippi State University, Box 6186, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (3) Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Box 6186, Mississippi State, MS 39762

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) postulates that an adolescent's intention to commit a violent act precedes violent behavior and will be determined by: (1) one's evaluation of possible outcomes of violent behavior (attitudes toward behavior); (2) one's perception of the expectations of others around him/her concerning violence; and (3) the degree to which one believes they can control their violent behavior. This study utilized constructs from the TPB and applied them to violent behavior. Data were obtained from the Alabama Adolescent Survey, a cross sectional lag design survey, which has been conducted with 9th and 10th grade Alabama students. The most recent sampling (N=1,812) was conducted in the spring of 2001, and consisted of Caucasians (47.4%) and African Americans (52.6%). Chi-square analyses were conducted on eleven violence measures. Results showed that positive attitudes toward violence, higher expectations of other's concerning violence, and lower perceived behavioral control present profiles that indicate an increased risk to engage in violent behaviors. However, initial findings reveal that ethnic group differences did not modify the associations among the TPB constructs. Based on these findings, theoretical approaches to understanding violent behavior among youth are promising for the development of health promotion programs. Health personnel should be trained to utilize theoretical perspectives when considering needs assessment and developing prevention programs. This study demonstrates how to operationalize theoretical constructs for evaluation and program development purposes.

Learning Objectives:

• The learner will be able to identify the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior.
• The learner will learn the role of intentions in behavior.
• The learner will understand how theoretical insights from the Theory of Planned Behavior can assist to provide insights about adolescent violence issues.

Keywords: School-Based Programs, Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.