Expectancy-value approach to drinking non-sugared mineral water among adolescents

This study set out to predict the intention to drink non-sugared mineral water and the performance of this behavior in a group of Norwegian adolescents using the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior. The empirical data stem from The Norwegian Longitudinal Health Behavior Study, and a comprehensive questionnaire survey was performed in September and October 1992. The study group comprised 970, 15-yr-old adolescents, considered to be representative of this age group in the county of Hordaland. After a 4-week period actual behavior was assessed in a subgroup (n=170). The theories posit that a person will probably perform a behavior if she/he intends to perform the behavior and has actual control with its performance. Behavioral intention is in turn governed by three types of predictors: attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. Multiple regression analysis showed that the intention to drink non-sugared mineral water was primarily governed by perceived behavioral control and attitudes while subjective norms had less impact. Intention alone turned out to be the immediate determinant of drinking of non-sugared mineral water, which implies that performance of this behavior presents few problems regarding actual control.