TY - JOUR
T1 - Predicting adolescents’ decisions about fighting
T2 - A test of the theory of planned behavior
AU - Roberto, Anthony J.
AU - Meyer, Gary
AU - Boster, Franklin J.
PY - 2001/9
Y1 - 2001/9
N2 - This investigation examines the ability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict and explain adolescents’ decisions to engage in physical aggression. Three hundred and fifty‐nine seventh‐grade boys and girls enrolled in two public junior high schools in a large Midwestern city completed a survey assessing components of the TPB as they related to the behavior under investigation. Contrary to predictions made by the TPB, subjective norms was not a significant predictor of behavioral intent. Consistent with the TPB, attitudes and perceived behavioral control predicted behavioral intent, and behavioral intent and perceived behavioral control predicted behavior. No gender differences were observed for the five variables under investigation or in the fit of the model. Implications for the TPB and for the development of youth violence prevention and intervention programs are discussed.
AB - This investigation examines the ability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict and explain adolescents’ decisions to engage in physical aggression. Three hundred and fifty‐nine seventh‐grade boys and girls enrolled in two public junior high schools in a large Midwestern city completed a survey assessing components of the TPB as they related to the behavior under investigation. Contrary to predictions made by the TPB, subjective norms was not a significant predictor of behavioral intent. Consistent with the TPB, attitudes and perceived behavioral control predicted behavioral intent, and behavioral intent and perceived behavioral control predicted behavior. No gender differences were observed for the five variables under investigation or in the fit of the model. Implications for the TPB and for the development of youth violence prevention and intervention programs are discussed.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=4043090604&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1080/08824090109384812
DO - 10.1080/08824090109384812
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:4043090604
SN - 0882-4096
VL - 18
SP - 315
EP - 323
JO - Communication Research Reports
JF - Communication Research Reports
IS - 4
ER -