Contraceptive behavior in college-age males related to Fishbein model
Ewald, B.M.; Roberts, C.S.
Ans. Advances in Nursing Science 7(3): 63-69
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0161-9268 PMID: 3920953 DOI: 10.1097/00012272-198504000-00007Document Number: 413176
The Fishbein model states that behavior is predicated on intention, intention is predicated on attitudes, and attitudes are predicated on beliefs. Using this model, this study tested 3 hypotheses, using as subjects 54 sexualy active, never married males between the ages of 18 and 20, who were attending a community college or a university in a southwestern metropolis of the US. The 1st hypothesis postulated that beliefs about condom use would be positively associated with attitudes about condom use. The path analysis coefficient indicates a significant, positive association between the 2 variables, supporting the 1st link in the Fishbein model, that beliefs are a determinant of attitudes. The 2nd hypothesis postulated that attitudes about condom use would be positively associated with intention to use condoms. Again a significant positive association between attitudes and intention was shown, supporting the 2nd link of the model. The 3rd hypothesis postulated that intention to use condoms in the coming month would be positively associated with condom use in the past month. The path coefficient indicated a significant positive association between intention and behavior in the past month, supporting the 3rd link of the model. Despite the heterogeneity of the sample with respect to onset and frequency of sexual intercourse, ethnicity, religion, and relative independence from the family of origin, the Fishbein model was supported, suggesting the utility of the model for examining behavior. This implies that, for the sample group, a change in beliefs about condoms would bring about a change in attitudes, intention, and behavior. Thus nursing interventions may need to be directed toward beliefs rather than towards behavior.