Theory Of Reasoned Action Model Research Articles

Comparative effect of physical health training and psychological training of the theory of reasoned action (TRA) model on the life quality of patients with diabetes in Tehran, Iran: utilization of message texting

Background and purposeProviding physical health and mental health training promotion is necessary for a sustainable change in attitude and lifestyle of diabetic patients. The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of physical health training and psychological training of the theory of reasoned action (TRA) model on the life quality of patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis experimental study was conducted in 2022 with two intervention groups and one control group consisting of 129 patients with type 2 diabetes who were referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. Over the course of one month, each individual in intervention group 1 received 15 text messages focusing on physical health, while intervention group 2 received 15 psychological text messages related to the TRA. The control group did not receive any text messages during this period. The data collection tool used was the “Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL)” questionnaire, which was completed by the participants before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software at a statistical significance level of 0.05.ResultsIn the intervention-1 group, the average life quality score was 8.51 units (P < 0.001), while in the intervention-2 group, it was 19.25 units (P < 0.001) higher than the control group. The psychological training group had a 17.62 units (P < 0.05) lower average fasting blood sugar (FBS) and a 10.74 units (P < 0.001) higher average quality of life compared to the physical training group.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that the effectiveness of psychological training of the TRA model in improving life quality and reducing FBS in patients with diabetes is greater than physical health training. It is suggested that policy makers and health managers base future plans on physical health promotion training along with TRA model mental health training for the development of education in patients with diabetes. Specialists and healthcare workers can also act to improve personal health characteristics, especially those related to reducing FBS and increasing the quality of life of patients with diabetes, by using training through mobile phone text messages, particularly with psychological content TRA based.

Motivations for Socially Responsible Investing: The Impact of Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Financial expectations

This study looks forward to exploring and understanding what the reasons for the desire of retail investors in might be making Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) in the Chinese stock market and to get an estimate of how valid the theory of reasoned action (TRA) could be. This is intended to look at how such factors as attitude, subjective norms, financial expectations, and risk propensity influence investors to engage in SRI in China. This research builds on previous studies that introduced financial expectations as a crucial new construct, enhancing the depth and rigor of TRA model in examining investment intentions. This assumption posits that investors comprehensively consider the investment situation, weighing not only its societal impact but also its financial returns, and only after considering these outcomes comprehensively will they make decisions on SRI. Risk propensity has been used as moderator in this research model relationship. Whether risk propensity influences the association between attitude, subjective norms, and financial expectations with investment intentions has been test in this study. The study results show risk propensity plays a significantly moderate role in relations of attitude, subjective norms, and financial expectation to intentions with the analysis indicating a positive effect. Its results will be able to provide more reference for the SRI studies and a new angle for capital market researchers, market information providers, and investors.

AN EXTENDED APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF REASONED ACTION (TRA) MODEL IN PREDICTING TOURIST LOYALTY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF DESIRE IN HEALTH &amp; SPA TOURISM

This research sought to examine the predictive power of an extended version of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model that incorporates desire to understand tourists' loyalty intentions towards a health &amp; spa center. The findings substantiate the model's high explanatory capacity and underline its relevance in the context of health tourism. It was found that positive attitudes towards health tourism services and the influence of subjective norms, which embody the opinions of tourists' social contacts, significantly influence loyalty intentions. Importantly, desire, which was included as an extension of the traditional TRA model, emerged as a crucial factor in this relationship, serving as a significant mediator between both attitudes and subjective norms and loyalty intentions. Our study highlights the central importance of understanding and considering desires when designing management strategies and recommends the implementation of targeted marketing campaigns, personalized offers and the continuous collection of customer feedback based on desire-based segmentation. This study contributes to the existing literature by extending the application of the TRA model to the health and wellness tourism sector and emphasizing the crucial role of desire as a mediator in promoting customer loyalty.

Sustainable apparel: a perspective from Bangladesh’s young consumers

PurposeThis study aims to understand Bangladeshi young consumers’ perceptions of sustainable apparel. Specifically, through the lens of the theory of reasoned action (TRA), this study investigates the impacts of man–nature orientation (MNO) and social influences on Bangladeshi young consumers’ intention to purchase sustainable apparel.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical survey-based research was conducted, and data were collected from 387 Bangladeshi college students.FindingsThe findings of the study show that MNO significantly influences Bangladeshi young consumers’ attitudes toward purchasing sustainable apparel, which, together with social influences, impacts young Bangladeshi consumers’ intention of making efforts to purchase sustainable apparel.Originality/valueThis study incorporates the specific cultural value – MNO with the traditional TRA model to understand young Bangladeshi consumers’ sustainable apparel purchase intention. The results of this study demonstrate the applicability of the TRA framework in understanding young consumers’ sustainable apparel consumer behavior in the context of Bangladesh, which is a developing country with a collectivistic culture. This study provides insights into how apparel brands and retailers should design their sustainability strategies in developing countries such as Bangladesh.

Predicting Fintech Innovation Adoption: the Mediator Role of Social Norms and Attitudes

Digital innovation is challenging the traditional way of offering financial services to companies; the so-called Fintech phenomenon refers to startups that use the latest technologies to offer innovative financial services. Within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), the primary purpose of this paper is to develop a causal-predictive analysis of the relationship between Subjective Norms, Attitudes, and Perceived Behavioral Control with the Intention to Use and Behavioral Use of the Fintech services by companies. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling methodology was used with data collected from a survey of 300 companies. Our findings support the TRA and TPB models and confirm their robustness in predicting companies’ intention and use of Fintech services. Financial technology innovators must understand the processes involved in users’ adoption to design sound strategies that increase the viability of their services. Studying the antecedents of behavioral intention to adopt Fintech services can greatly help understand the pace of adoption, allowing these players to attract and retain customers better. This study contributes to the literature by formulating and validating TPB to predict Fintech adoption, and its findings provide useful information for banks and Fintech companies and lead to an improvement in organizational performance management in formulating marketing strategies.

Understanding the Drivers of Islamic Credit Card Selection Using TRA Model: Evidence from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study investigates the drivers of Islamic Credit Card (ICC) adoption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan by using the extended Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model. Particularly, the study examines the impact of subjective norms, attitude, perceived financial cost, knowledge, and social influence on ICC selection. Using a convenient sampling technique, this study relied on self-administered questionnaires that were distributed among Islamic banks’ customers in Kohat and Bannu divisions. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, and 340 valid questionnaires were selected for the final analysis. The results from the regression analysis indicate that the factors i.e., subjective norm, customer attitudes, knowledge, and social influence have a positive and significant effect on the intentions to use the ICC, but perceived financial cost shows a negative effect on the intentions to use ICC. Among the predictors, the subjective norm was found a very influential driver to forecast the intention to use ICC. Our results provide insights to managers of Islamic banks, policymakers, and Sariah scholars to understand how to promote ICC.

Citizens' willingness to pay for local anaerobic digestion energy: The influence of altruistic value and knowledge

The willingness of citizens to pay for energy from local anaerobic digestion is a difficult and complex process prejudiced by a broad range of factors. This study aims to investigate how citizens' local anaerobic digestion knowledge and altruistic value affects their willingness to pay (WTP) for energy from local anaerobic digestion schemes in Jiangsu province through the impacts of subjective norm and attitude. The theory of reasoned action (TRA) was used to construct the research model. The study compares the original TRA and the current research model. The study collected data from 400 respondents in Jiangsu province, exploiting structural equation modeling techniques in analyzing the data. The results show that citizens' knowledge and altruistic value were positively and significantly related to the subjective norm and attitude towards citizens' WTP for energy from local anaerobic digestion (LAD) schemes. The study revealed that citizens' LAD knowledge and altruistic value positively influence subjective norms and attitudes. The study found that the current research model is better than the original TRA model. The study advocates for marketers of such schemes to establish appropriate techniques to increase citizen trust in their schemes. Also, policymakers should run more campaigns to create environmental concerns on anaerobic digestion in Jiangsu province.

Mediating Role of Leadership-led Change in Adoption of Waste-to-Energy in Nigeria

The use of renewable energy has increased in the past several years. Innovative forms of sustainable alternative energy production, such as solar and wind, are well-recognized energy sources. This paper reviews waste-to-energy (WtE), an innovative and evolving form of renewable energy, and its possible adoption in Nigeria to address this nation’s energy crisis and pollution problem. The theoretical framework of this paper draws from the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the leadership-led change framework to consider the role of leaders and their influence to adopt WtE. Four factors act as antecedents to the formation of attitudes and subjective norms about WtE, which then affect intentions to adopt WtE. Intentions then become a predictor of behavior for adopting WtE. Through this framework, we examine the predicted potential for WtE as a solution for energy and pollution issues in Nigeria. We modeled leadership-led change as a mediator in the relationship between attitude and intention to adopt WtE in Nigeria. Our results show that leadership-led change partially mediates the attitude–intention relationship in the adoption of WtE. This paper makes two contributions: First, we offer an empirical account of Nigerian leaders’ intention to adopt WtE as a solution for its energy and environmental problems; and second, we offer an extended TRA model that incorporates a leadership-led change framework.

The Extended TRA Model for the Assessment of Factors Driving Individuals’ Behavioral Intention to Use Cryptocurrency

Aim/Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the factors driving individuals’ behavioral intention to use cryptocurrency in Saudi Arabia using the extended TRA model. Background: Despite the great potential of cryptocurrencies and the exponential growth of cryptocurrency use throughout the world, scholarly research on this topic remained scarce. Whereas prior studies are mostly done in developed countries or specific cultural contexts, limiting the generalizability of their results, they mainly used technology adoption models that cannot fully explain the acceptance of new technology involved with financial transactions such as cryptocurrency and provided contradictory evidence. Entire regions have been excluded from the research on this topic, including Saudi Arabia which has a high potential to increase the volume of cryptocurrency use. Methodology: This study extends the theory of reasoned action (TRA) with the factors from technology adoption models that proved relevant for this topic, namely perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, perceived innovativeness, and perceived risk with three sub-factors: security, financial, and privacy risk. Data are collected using a quantitative research methodology from 181 respondents residing in Saudi Arabia and then analyzed by several methods, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM). Contribution: This study contributes to the scientific knowledge by extending the TRA model with a range of factors from the technology adoption field, thus enabling the analysis of this topic from human, financial, and technology perspectives and providing additional empirical evidence on the factors that previously either provided contradictory evidence or were not explored in this field. This research also provides the first empirical data on this topic in Saudi Arabia and enables further research on the topic and a comparison of the results. The study also contributes to practice by enhancing the actual understanding of the phenomena and providing valuable information and recommendations for governments, investors, merchants, developers, and the general population. Findings: The study found attitude, subjective norm, perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, personal innovativeness, privacy risk, and financial risk as significant predictors of the intention to use cryptocurrencies, whereas the influence of security risk was not found to be significant in Saudi Arabia. Recommendations for Practitioners: Using this study’s results, governments can create appropriate legal frameworks, developers can design fewer complex platforms, and merchants may create appropriate campaigns that emphasize the benefits of cryptocurrency use and transpire trust in cryptocurrency transactions by enhancing the factors with a positive impact, such as usefulness, enjoyment, and personal innovativeness while reducing concerns of potential users regarding the risky factors. By promoting a positive user experience, they can also improve attitudes and social norms towards cryptocurrencies, thus further stimulating the interest in their use. Recommendation for Researchers: As this study validated the influence of factors from technology, financial, and human-related fields, researchers may follow this approach to ensure a comprehensive analysis of this complex topic, especially as privacy risk was never examined in this context, while personal innovativeness, perceived enjoyment, financial, and security risk were explored in just a few studies. It is also recommended that researchers explore the impact of each part of subjective norms: social media, friends, and family, as well as how information on the benefits of cryptocurrencies affects the perception of the factors included. Impact on Society: Understanding the factors affecting cryptocurrency use can help utilize the full potential of cryptocurrencies, especially their benefits for developing countries reflected in safe, speedy, and low-cost financial transactions with no need for an intermediary. The research model of this study could also be used to investigate this topic in other contexts to discover similarities and differences, as well as to investigate other information systems. Future Research: Future studies should test this research model in similar and different contexts to determine whether its validity and study results depend on cultural and contextual factors. They can also include different or additional variables, or use mixed methods, as interviews would augment the comprehension of this topic. Future studies may also explore whether the impact of variables would remain the same if circumstances changed or use cases expanded, and how the preferences of the target population would change within a longitudinal time frame.

An Analysis of Tourist's Behavioural Intention in the Digital Era: Using a Modified Model of the Reasoned Action Theory

Destination management organisations currently operate in an environment where online media greatly influences travellers' decision-making. In this digital environment, electronic word of mouth (eWOM) is considered an important source of information affecting tourist's behaviour and destination image formation. Destination image is also recognised as major element influencing holiday destination choice, intention to revisit a destination and the willingness to recommend it to others. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) in turn, offers a relevant conceptual framework to analyse tourists’ behaviour. This paper aims to (1) incorporate eWOM and destination image as exogenous variables into the TRA model, then evaluate the ability of this extension to predict tourists’ behavioural intention (2) examine both eWOM and destination image impact on intention to visit an emerging destination (3) inspect eWOM role in destination image formation (4) evaluate the ability of the TRA’s core constructs (i.e., attitude and subjective norms) to predict intention. A quantitative approach based on structural equation modelling conducted this study in order to test the extended model, by analysing data collected from 234 potential foreign tourists, selected using a convenience sampling method. Results revealed that the extended model had a good predictive ability for tourists’ intentions to visit an emerging destination. Besides, attitude, subjective norms and destination image were significant predictors of visit intention, and eWOM significantly influenced the image. The study outcomes may help to develop a more efficient and successful tourism marketing strategy.

To combine or not to combine? Applying protection motivation theory and the theory of reasoned action to explain and predict intention to reduce meat consumption

AbstractReducing meat consumption is one of the most crucial recommendations for achieving more sustainable food consumption and mitigating the harm caused by climate change. The aim of this study was to provide a more comprehensive framework for understanding consumer intention to reduce meat consumption. This study examined three models that were based on protection motivation theory (PMT), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and a combination of PMT and the theory of reasoned action (TRA). These three models were evaluated against each other with respect to their ability to effectively explain and predict consumer intention to reduce meat consumption. The sample comprised 671 respondents in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that the explanatory power of the combined PMT and TRA model and the original PMT model are almost equivalent; they could explain more than 85% of the variation in consumer intention to reduce meat consumption. However, the combined PMT and TRA model can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the determinants of consumer intention to reduce meat consumption. Both threat appraisal and coping appraisal contributed to consumer protection motivation. The TPB model explained more than 75% of the variance in consumer intention to reduce meat consumption; moreover, attitude, subjective norms, and self‐efficacy (a proxy for perceived behavioral control) were positive contributors. Although the TPB model is simple and has satisfactory explanatory power, the combined PMT and TRA model provided greater insights with higher explanatory power for consumer intention to reduce meat consumption.

Beliefs influencing students’ career choices in Sweden and reasons for not choosing the accounting profession

This study, employing the simplified Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), investigates student beliefs that influence their attitudes and subjective norms, leading them to not choose the accounting profession in Sweden. Questionnaires were sent electronically to first-year and second-year university students, and, after applying the exclusion criteria, the sample size comprised 228 students. The results reaffirmed the simplified TRA model and revealed that both behavioral (no personal interest in accounting, a boring profession, and higher salaries in other occupations) and normative beliefs (the influence of teachers and peers), through personal attitudes and subjective norms, influenced students’ decision to avoid the accounting profession. The findings suggest that accounting departments and business school faculties should recruit professional accountants and invite Swedish professional accounting bodies to create supportive activities that will motivate and help students learn more about the profession. Furthermore, accounting teachers should be more practical and equipped with engaging pedagogical techniques, and mandatory internships and seminars should be included in the school curriculum. It is also suggested that these implications should be positively communicated through social media.

The relationships of personal, social and demographic factors on Chinese auditors’ intentions to accept unethical engagements

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the personal and social influences on Chinese auditors’ intentions to accept unethical engagements when faced with ethical dilemmas. The theory of reasoned action (TRA) is employed as the theoretical basis for the investigation. Personal factors (i.e. ethical ideologies) and social factors (i.e. Chinese interpersonal relationships, termed guanxi) are included in the TRA model to examine auditors’ intentions. A survey methodology is utilised in this study. The results from a sample of 306 auditors from several cities in China show that auditors’ idealism is positively associated with their attitudes towards the rejection of questionable engagements; conversely, relativism is negatively associated with their attitudes towards the rejection of questionable engagements. In addition, auditors’ guanxi orientations (i.e. favour-seeking and rent-seeking) are negatively associated with subjective norms, which suggests that auditors are aware that their close personal relationships with clients could be in conflict with their colleagues’ or supervisors’ expectations. In the further tests, this study controls for the effects of gender and region on auditors’ ethical intentions. The results indicate that female auditors may be more sensitive to ethical issues than male auditors, and auditors in southern China might adopt a more independent and fair perspective when confronted with ethical dilemmas. The findings can help managers better understand personal and social factors that influence their employees’ moral reasoning and adopt proper measures to enhance auditors’ ethical intentions.

Factors influencing Bumiputera contractors' acceptance of the contractor's all risk takāful product

PurposeThis research aims to investigate the factors that can influence Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the Contractor’s All Risks (CAR) takāful (Islamic insurance) product using the theory of reasoned action (TRA).Design/methodology/approachUsing the method of quantitative surveys, 414 questionnaires were collected from targeted Bumiputera contractors in Malaysia (grade G1 to grade G7), except in Sabah and Sarawak, that are registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and are also members of Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia (PKMM). The data was analysed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.FindingsThe findings from the PLS-SEM analysis show that attitude, subjective norm, religiosity and awareness have a positive relationship with Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the CAR takāful product. Religiosity appeared to be the most significant factor influencing Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the CAR takāful product.Research limitations/implicationsThe respondents in this study only comprised Bumiputera contractors in Peninsular Malaysia, excluding those from Sabah and Sarawak. Therefore, it is not possible to generalise the findings to a broader population.Practical implicationsTakāful operators and their sales and marketing departments need to act proactively in promoting the benefits of investing in CAR takāful that follows Sharīʾah (Islamic law) rules and principles. They should create mechanisms to market CAR takāful better, thus accelerating its acceptance rate among contractors.Originality/valueThe paper uses the proposed extended TRA model, which includes the variables of religiosity and awareness in the TRA model. These variables were successfully integrated in the model, and the findings show that they have significantly contributed to the acceptance of the CAR takāful product among Bumiputera contractors.

Public Attitudes and Interests in Using Online Transactions (TAM Application And TRA Model)

This study aims to investigate the public's interest in using online transactions, especially mobile by Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). The sample in this study was 200 people. The data analysis technique in this study used Partial Least Square (PLS). The results showed that the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness had a positive and significant effect on user attitudes. Subjective norm variables, user attitudes have a positive and significant effect on individual behavior interest, perceived ease of use has a positive and significant effect on the perceived usefulness. Suggestions from this research are the banking sector is expected to add features that can make it easier and provide more benefits for their customers in using mobile banking.

Examining models of psychologists' telepsychology use during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national cross-sectional study.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to apply the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and technology acceptance model (TAM) to psychologists' telepsychology use during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsA sample of 2619 US‐licensed psychologists completed a survey assessing telepsychology use and aspects of both models in May 2020.ResultsCross‐sectional TRA and TAM path models evidenced excellent fit in explaining psychologists' telepsychology use. The TRA indicated that psychologists' attitudes concerning telepsychology and subjective norms were associated with intentions to use telepsychology, which related to percentage of clinical work performed via telepsychology. The TAM showed that perceived usefulness of telepsychology and perceived ease of use were associated with attitudes toward telepsychology. Perceived usefulness was associated with psychologists' intention to use telepsychology, as was perceived ease of use.ConclusionEfforts to facilitate telepsychology provision during the pandemic and broadly may benefit from trainings and campaigns to address attitudes toward telepsychology, subjective norms, and perceived ease of use.

The Intention to Study Using Zoom During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

This study uses the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model combined with risk perception variables to examine the intention to study using Zoom during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. All assumptions are confirmed by the TRA model 's conventional, independent variables affecting the intention to test using Zoom. However, the results of this study differ from expectations. The security risk perception has the lowest impact on the intention to adopt Zoom. The two key determinants of using Zoom for teaching and studying are attitude and subjective norms. Moreover, COVID-19 risk perception has a remarkable influence on the target variables. Thus, the combination of the TRA model and risk perception factors is a very good choice to assess the factors affecting the intention to adopt Zoom as an educational learning tool.

Job Involvement and Knowledge Sharing Dependence on Organizational Citizenship Behavior

This research is financed by Research and Consultancy Fund (RCF) offered by Local Government Training Institute (LGTI) Dodoma; Tanzania. Among several purposes; RCF focuses on improving research and consultancy activities in LGTI academic departments Abstract Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) was employed in this study as fitting theory for investigating determination of Knowledge Sharing behavior. TRA is a choice theory that elucidates drive of executing behavior by emphasising the definite processes that employees follow to take choices. TRA takes an employee drive to execute behavior by utilizing the concept of intention to execute behaviour. A TRA model was crafted on three variables [(Job Involvement (JI); Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) and Knowledge Sharing (KS)] and empirically investigated Job Involvement - Knowledge Sharing association. Then, OCB moderating role in this association; was tested as an extension variable to the traditional TRA model. Questionnaires were completed on self-rating fashion where 421 employees in Local Government Authorities (LGAs) formed study sample. Hayes (2004) and Mod-Graph (Jose, 2013) approach was jointly employed to determine potential OCB moderation role in the study. Results suggested; Job Involvement - Knowledge Sharing association was positive in nature; thus, both changes in tandem. Further, Job Involvement - Knowledge Sharing association strength depended on the third variable namely OCB; hence, OCB affected the strength of the independent and dependent variable association in the study. Implications for practice and future study were composed subsequent to conclusions. Keywords: Tanzania, Local Government Authorities, Job Involvement, Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Knowledge Sharing DOI: 10.7176/IKM/10-7-06 Publication date: November 30 th 2020

Blue-Collar Workers Entrepreneurial Intentions and The Extended Theory of Reasoned Action: Incorporating SEM and Person-Item Map Analysis

Introduction/Main Objectives: Blue-collar workers face major threats related to the development and application of Industry 4.0. Unfortunately, research on how they deal with this situation is scarce in the behavioral science literature. In this study, we attempt to fill this gap by emphasizing a methodological aspect of combining structural equation modeling (SEM) and person-item map analysis to the extended model of the theory of reasoned action. Novelty and Methods: We offer the notion of combining SEM and Rasch model analysis to explain the extended of theory of reasoned action. The respondents were blue-collar workers from Indonesia who have not yet started a business. Finding/Results: In line with our goal of applying intersubjective certification to the extended theory of reasoned action (TRA) model in the context of blue-collar workers, our results suggest that religiosity affects entrepreneurial intentions, both directly and indirectly, through attitude. The subjective norms have also been shown to influence the intention of blue-collar workers to become entrepreneurs. The extended TRA model has been proven empirically to have good predictive power, with a total effect of 83%. Conclusion: Regarding the sample issue, the person-item map is excellent for explaining our SEM-based findings. The idea of combining the Rasch model property, which is a persons-items map, requires more empirical support to promote its ability to illuminate SEM-based research explanations.

Comparison of competitive cognitive models in explanation of women breast cancer screening behaviours using structural equation modelling: Health belief model and theory of reasoned action.

The efficacy of the theory of reasoned action (TRA), compared with the health belief model (HBM), has not been fully elucidated in screening practices. This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with samples of 500 women aged 35-85years, in the north of Iran. The data of demographic characteristics, awareness, health belief, subjective norms and screening behaviours were collected using standard instruments. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to estimate the pathways of regression coefficients. The model that incorporated the health belief and the standardised coefficient of the knowledge scores influenced significantly on the health belief perception (beta=0.375), and consequently, the health belief directly affected screening behaviours (beta=0.73). In contrast, In TRA model, while the direct effect of knowledge on intention was negligible it has a greater indirect effect by mediating health belief and subjective norms (indirect beta=0.35) on behaviour intention. A high coefficient of intention was observed by subjective norms (beta=0.626), and the intention has a great positive effect on screening behaviour (beta=0.601). All fitting indexes were quietly improved in the TRA model as compared with HBM. Thus, the unifying structure of knowledge, health belief, subjective norms and intention improves the predictor power in breast cancer screening behaviours.