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Title: BEHAVIORAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE USE OF MULTIVITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS BY FEMALES STUDENTS: THE APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR

Author
item PAWLAK, ROMAN - EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
item MEYER, MARY - NATIONAL FOOD SERV MANAGM
item JOHNSON, J - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item BROWN, DENISE - NATIONAL FOOD SERV MANAGM
item YADRICK, KATHLEEN - DELTA NIRI
item CONELL, CAROL - DELTA NIRI
item BLACKWELL, ANN - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/16/2003
Publication Date: 4/23/2004
Citation: Pawlak, R.M., Meyer, M., Johnson, J.T., Brown, D.M., Yadrick, K., Connell, C., Blackwell, A. 2004. Behavioral factors influencing the use of multivitamin supplements by female students: The application of the Theory of Planned Behavior [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 18(4):A119.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Objective: To identify predictors of the use of multivitamin supplements within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Design: Variables of the TPB and the self-reported use of multivitamin supplements were measured by two separate surveys within one week. Subjects: A convenience sample of 196 students with a mean age 21.2, SD = 1.7 years was used in this study. Statistical analysis: Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate how well the combination of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted behavioral intention. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to predict the self-reported use of multivitamin supplements by the variables of the TPB. Results: The correlation coefficient of the linear combination of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control was significantly related to behavioral intention (R = 0.78). Approximately 60 percent of variance in behavioral intention was explained by these three variables (p< 0.001). Behavioral intention significantly predicted the use of multivitamin supplements accounting for approximately 43 percent of variance (p<0.001). Conclusion: In order to be successful, educational campaigns targeting populations of college-aged females to take multivitamin supplements should include specific factors identified in this research as predictors of the use of multivitamin supplements.