Predicting breast self-examination using the theory of reasoned action

The personal and normative influences on breast self-examination (BSE) behavior in older women were examined using the Theory of Reasoned Action. The sample consists of 93 volunteers ranging in age from 52 to 90 years. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Direct and indirect measures of attitude and social norm were used to predict intention to perform BSE and BSE frequency. Contrary to the model assumptions, indirect measures accounted for more variance in both intention and behavior, and explained actual behavior better than intention to perform. Both the indirect and direct measures of attitude and social norm explained a significant amount of the variance in intention and BSE frequency. There were significant differences on all the model components (direct and indirect measures of attitude, social norm, and intention) between frequent and infrequent BSE performance groups. Discriminant analysis using the indirect measures of attitude and social norm correctly classified 76% of the women into frequent and infrequent performance groups.