 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Mary-Margaret H. Driskell, MPH, Janet L. Johnson, PhD, Kerry E. Evers, PhD, Carol O. Cummins, MLIS, MEd, Janice M. Prochaska, PhD, and James O. Prochaska, PhD. Pro-Change Behavior Systems, PO Box 755, West Kingston, RI 02892, 401-874-4115, mmdriskell@prochange.com
Advancing the science and practice of health promotion and disease management on the Internet requires a systematic program of research that provides descriptive and predictive knowledge about population readiness to participate in Internet-based programs and practical knowledge of how participation can be facilitated. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) provides a framework for such a program. This study develops TTM measures for decisional balance (pros and cons) and self-efficacy (confidence) for using the Internet for health behavior change in a sample of 383 Internet users, 71.1% white, 61.4% female with mean age of 41.7 years. Principal components analysis was conducted on half of the sample to determine the number of items and factors to retain. This structure was then confirmed in the second half of the sample. For decisional balance, two correlated factors of 4 pros and 4 cons was the best fitting model, *2(19)=41.38, CFI=.94. For confidence, a 6-item one factor model fit best, *2(9)=36.60, CFI=.89. Internal consistency for all measures was acceptable, ranging from .62 to .71. Construct validity was examined for the measures using stage of change for using the Internet for health behavior change. The Pros (F(4,369)=13.49, p<.001, eta2=.128) and Confidence (F(4,370)=4.57, p<.01, eta2=.047) measures showed significant differences across the stages. In general, scores were lower in the earliest stage, Precontemplation, than in other stages. These results support the validity of these measures and provide the foundation for the development of tailored and targeted interventions to help maximize population participation in Internet programs for health behavior change.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Internet, Health Promotion
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.