APPLICATION OF THE TRANSTHEORETICAL MODEL OF BEHAVIOR CHANGE TO DIETARY FAT REDUCTION IN A NATURALISTIC ENVIRONMENT (CANCER).
Contributors: University of Rhode Island.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 363
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nutrition.; Psychology, Behavioral.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This research used the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change as the theoretical basis for a cross-sectional, naturalistic investigation of the problem of dietary fat consumption. This investigation was the first to develop a battery of Transtheoretical Model based instruments for dietary fat reduction and fully test the application of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change to the problem of dietary fat reduction.

The research was divided into three related studies and employed two different samples. In Study One, a convenient sample was used to develop four Transtheoretical Model based measures for the problem of dietary fat reduction. Study Two used a random sample and focused on validation of the instruments developed in Study One. Four different criteria were used to determine the validity of the Stage of Change Algorithm. A two and three factor structure were confirmed for the Decisional Balance and Situational Temptation instruments respectively.

Study Three tested the application of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change to the problem of dietary fat reduction in a naturalistic environment. Models derived in Study Two for the Decisional Balance, and Situational Temptation were tested for applicability to the problem of dietary fat reduction using additional structural modeling techniques. The relationship between Stage of Change and each Transtheoretical Model construct (Processes, Pros and Cons, Temptation) was also examined using Multivariate Analyses of Variance. Additional tests of Transtheoretical Model applicability for Processes of Change and Situational Temptation constructs were conducted by testing for a hierarchical measurement structure.

Results demonstrated that each key construct (i.e., Stage of Change, Processes of Change, Pros and Cons of Decisional Balance and Situational Temptation) varied as a function of Stage of Change, thus providing support for the application of the Transtheoretical Model to the problem of dietary fat reduction. Although the Stage Algorithm was found to be valid from a Transtheoretical Model perspective, modifications were recommended for assessing people in the later stages of change to make it more applicable from a problem area perspective. Usefulness of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change for understanding dietary behavior change, future recommendations and nursing implications are discussed.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-04, Section: B, page: 1386.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, 1993.

School code: 0186.