Translate 
Abstract
Behavioral intentions are one of the strongest predictors of health behavior. The current research explored the factors predicting action in those with already strong intentions (i.e., those with the most extreme intention scores). Across four studies on different types of health behavior (physical activity, bowel screening, smoking initiation, COVID-19 protection behaviors), attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control and past behavior (plus habit in Study 4) were tested as prospective predictors of action in the subsample of participants with extreme (strong) intentions. In Studies 1 (N = 392) and 2 (N = 808) among strong intenders, norms and past behavior were consistent predictors of engaging in objectively assessed physical activity and bowel screening, respectively. In Studies 3 (N = 4,148) and 4 (N = 445) among strong intenders, affective attitudes (only Study 3), descriptive norms, capacity/autonomy, and past behavior were predictors of resisting smoking initiation and engaging in COVID-19 protection behaviors, respectively. Study 4 also showed habit to be a significant predictor of action in strong intenders. This research identifies factors that might be useful targets to promote engagement with health behaviors in those with already strong intentions to act. Future research could usefully test whether targeting these same variables translates into behavior change in those with already strong intentions to act. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).
Highlights
Greater perceived behavioral control, and more past behavior were independently associated with more entries to the sports center in the group with strong intentions (Table 1)
This would suggest that each of subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and past behavior contribute to enacting a strong intention for a health protection behavior when objectively assessed
Supplementary analyses showed the correlation between intentions and action was .25 in the full sample (N = 503, cases = 2,020) and .19 in the positive intenders sample (N = 461, cases = 1,440) with cognitive and affective attitude, injunctive and descriptive norms, capacity and autonomy, past behavior and intentions explaining 52.8% of the variance in action in the full sample and 45.9% in the positive intenders subsample (Tables 1 and 2 in the online supplemental materials; variance explained estimates based on non-multi-level logistic regression)
Summary
Behavioral intentions are one of the strongest predictors of health behavior. The current research explored the factors predicting action in those with already strong intentions (i.e., those with the most extreme intention scores). & Ajzen, 2010) both identify intentions as the sole proximal determinant of action, various primary empirical studies and metaanalyses suggest that other variables can directly influence action independently of intentions Four such variables were considered here, three taken from the TPB/RAA (i.e., attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control) and one external variable (i.e., past behavior/habit). The current research tested attitude, norms, perceived behavioral control, and past behavior/habit as predictors of action among those with strong intentions in several different health behaviors in order to assess the degree of generalizability of any findings. Study 1 was designed to provide a first test of attitude, norms, perceived behavioral control, and frequency of past behavior as predictors of action in strong intenders for a protection behavior (physical activity). Full details of all measures and the data set are available from Mark Conner
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
