Stability of and Associations Between Social-Cognitive Determinants Over Time

Abstract

This study reports on the stability of social-cognitive determinants, and on associations between social-cognitive determinants to show insight in the theory of planned behavior (TPB). In all, 278 health professionals who encourage patients to become physically active completed online TPB-based surveys at baseline (Time 1 [T1]) and six months later (Time 2 [T2]). No intervention took place. No differences were found for all social-cognitive determinants measured at T1 compared with T2 (6 months later), except for intention ( t test = 5.18, p < .001). Structural equation modeling—χ 2 (5, N = 278) = 2.35, p = .80, root mean square error of approximation = 0.00—showed that behavior T1 and attitude T1 predicted intention T1 ( R 2 = .57, p = <.001); that behavior T1 and barriers T1 predicted behavior T2 ( R 2 = .38, p = <.001); and that behavior T2, intention T1, and attitude T1 predicted intention T2 ( R 2 =.60, p = <.001). Intention T1 did not predict behavior T2. The model achieved a good fit with the data. Findings revealed that social-cognitive determinants remained stable over time, with intention being instable. Without intervention, the intention decreased, while the social-cognitive determinants (attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms) for intention and the corresponding behavior remained unchanged. For intervention development it seems important to value health professionals’ previous or past encouraging behavior (T1), this to change intention and behavior, or to initiate new behavior. Behavior T1 showed a predictive variable and predicted attitude T1, intention T1, barriers T1, and behavior T2. Barriers that obstruct health professionals’ encouraging behavior are encountered, and barriers influence attitudes T1 and the behavior T2 to encourage patients.