Cross-cultural generalizability of the theory of planned behavior among young people in a physical activity context

J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2007 Feb;29(1):2-20.

Abstract

The present study tested the cross-cultural generalizability of the measurement and structural parameters of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) among youth in a physical activity context. Pupils from five cultural groups completed measures of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intentions for physical activity. Five weeks later, participants completed self-report measures of physical activity behavior. Confirmatory factor analyses and multisample structural equation models revealed well-fitting models within each sample with minimal variations in the measurement parameters across cultures. There were a few significant cross-cultural differences in the structural relations among the TPB constructs. Attitudes predicted intentions in all samples (beta range = .300 to .550), whereas the effect of the subjective norms on intention was nonsignificant in all but the Hungarian sample (beta = .243). Conversely, the effect of PBC on intentions was significant (beta range = .302 to .573) in all but the Hungarian sample. Findings support the generalizability of the measures and pattern of effects for the TPB among young people in a physical activity context.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Cultural Diversity*
  • England
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires