IngentaConnect Does perceived behavioural control mediate the relationship betwe...

Authors: Gaston Godin¹; Camille Gagné¹; Paschal Sheeran²

Source: British Journal of Health Psychology, Volume 9, Number 4, November 2004 , pp. 557-568(12)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

Abstract:

Objectives: In order to determine whether the relationship between power beliefs (p) and health-related behavioural intentions is mediated by perceived behavioural control (PBC) we used structural equation modelling of eight cross-sectional data sets.

Method: Eight studies that examined health-related behaviours and employed representative samples totalling N = 4663 participants were analysed. All studies involved power belief items derived from pilot testing and employed standard multiitem measures of power beliefs, PBC and intention that were highly reliable.

Results: Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the discriminant validity of power beliefs, PBC and intention. Structural equation modelling of relevant paths indicated that PBC only partially mediated the relationship between power beliefs and intention (Z_Sobel = 5.15, p < .001; Z_Baron&Kenny = 5.16, p < .001). Power beliefs had a significant direct relationship with intention even after PBC had been taken into account.

Conclusion: The findings undermine Ajzen's contention that PBC mediates the power beliefs-intention relationship and suggests that it is important to employ measures of power beliefs in addition to measures of PBC in order to enhance the prediction of intentions to perform health-risking, or health-promoting, behaviours.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1348/1359107042304614

Affiliations: 1: Research Group on Psychosocial Aspects of Health-Related Behaviours, Laval University, Ste-Foy, Canada 2: Faculty of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$24.40 plus tax Refund Policy

Does perceived behavioural control mediate the relationship between power beliefs and intention?