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Degree

Master of Arts, Miami University, Speech Communication, 2008.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate individuals’ motivations to take dietary supplements using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). In addition to the standard TPB constructs, self-identity and past behavior were tested as additional variables to increase the theory’s predictive power, and because of conflicting past research, the interaction between self-identity and past behavior was examined. The results of this study indicated that two TPB constructs – attitudes and subjective norms – were independent predictors of individuals’ intentions to use dietary supplements. Additionally, this study found that that self-identity and past behavior independently predicted intention and captured additional variance not accounted for by the standard TPB constructs. Furthermore, this study found that self-identity was a stronger predictor of behavioral intention at lower levels of past behavior rather than at higher levels. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Subject Headings

Communication; Health

Keywords

Theory of Planned Behavior; Theory of Reasoned Action; Dietary Supplements; Self-Identity; Past Behavior

Committee / Advisors

Judith Weiner, PhD (Advisor)
Marjorie Keeshan Nadler, PhD (Committee Member)
James Patterson, PhD (Committee Member)

Pages

56p.

Document number: miami1218136960
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1218136960

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