Jessica A.Turchik, Ph.D.
Publication Details
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Prediction of sexual risk behaviors in college students using the theory of planned behavior: A prospective analysis
Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 2012; (1): 1-27
Sexual risk behaviors, which can lead to a number of negative health consequences, continue to be a problem on college campuses. The theory of planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1985, 1991) has been shown to be effective in predicting sexual risk behavior; however, the predictive validity of the TPB has been shown to increase when other variables are included. Structural equation modeling was utilized to test both sufficiency and extended TPB models, which incorporated six additional variables, to predict condom use, contraceptive use, dual use, and casual sex among college students. Data from 453 American undergraduate students (143 men, 310 women) was included in the analyses for the current study. None of the TPB sufficiency structural equation models demonstrated an adequate fit to the data, whereas the extended structural equation models for casual sex, casual condom use, casual dual use, relationship condom use, and relationship dual use demonstrated good fits for the respective data. In general, the additional paths in the extended TPB models allowed for more variance accounted for in both intentions and behaviors compared to those in the sufficiency models. Implications for future research on the prediction of sexual risk behaviors, the utility of the TPB, and sexual risk prevention and intervention programming are reviewed.
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