Benjamín Reyes Fernández1, Nina Knoll2, Kyra Hamilton3, Ralf Schwarzer4,5. 1. a Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, Universidad de Costa Rica , San José , Costa Rica. 2. b Department of Education and Psychology , Freie Universität Berlin , Berlin , Germany. 3. c School of Applied Psychology, Menzies Health Institute Queensland , Griffith University , Australia. 4. d Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University , Sydney , Australia. 5. e University of Social Sciences and Humanities , Wroclaw , Poland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine motivational and volitional factors for hand washing in young adults, using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) as a theoretical framework. DESIGN: In a longitudinal design with two measurement points, six weeks apart, university students (N = 440) completed paper-based questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prior hand washing frequency, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, intention and action planning were measured at baseline, and coping planning, action control and hand washing frequency were measured at follow-up. RESULTS: A theory-based structural equation model was specified. In line with the HAPA, the motivational factors of self-efficacy and outcome expectancies predicted intention, whereas the volitional factors of planning and action control mediated between intention and changes in hand washing frequency. Action control was confirmed as the most proximal factor on hand washing behaviour, thus representing a bridge of the planning-behaviour gap. CONCLUSIONS: Both motivational and volitional processes are important to consider in the improvement of hand hygiene practices. Moreover, the statistically significant effects for planning and action control illustrate the importance of these key self-regulatory factors in the prediction of hand hygiene. The current study highlights the importance of adopting models that account for motivational and volitional factors to better understand hand washing behaviour.
OBJECTIVES: To examine motivational and volitional factors for hand washing in young adults, using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) as a theoretical framework. DESIGN: In a longitudinal design with two measurement points, six weeks apart, university students (N = 440) completed paper-based questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prior hand washing frequency, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, intention and action planning were measured at baseline, and coping planning, action control and hand washing frequency were measured at follow-up. RESULTS: A theory-based structural equation model was specified. In line with the HAPA, the motivational factors of self-efficacy and outcome expectancies predicted intention, whereas the volitional factors of planning and action control mediated between intention and changes in hand washing frequency. Action control was confirmed as the most proximal factor on hand washing behaviour, thus representing a bridge of the planning-behaviour gap. CONCLUSIONS: Both motivational and volitional processes are important to consider in the improvement of hand hygiene practices. Moreover, the statistically significant effects for planning and action control illustrate the importance of these key self-regulatory factors in the prediction of hand hygiene. The current study highlights the importance of adopting models that account for motivational and volitional factors to better understand hand washing behaviour.
Keywords:
action control; hand washing; motivation; self-regulation; volition
Authors: Thomas von Lengerke; Bettina Lutze; Christian Krauth; Karin Lange; Jona Theodor Stahmeyer; Iris Freya Chaberny Journal: Dtsch Arztebl Int Date: 2017-01-20 Impact factor: 5.594
Authors: Thomas von Lengerke; Ella Ebadi; Bettina Schock; Christian Krauth; Karin Lange; Jona T Stahmeyer; Iris F Chaberny Journal: Antimicrob Resist Infect Control Date: 2019-03-25 Impact factor: 4.887
Authors: Jane O'Brien; Kyra Hamilton; Andrew Williams; James Fell; Jonathan Mulford; Michael Cheney; Sam Wu; Marie-Louise Bird Journal: Trials Date: 2018-08-07 Impact factor: 2.279