2020 Volume 32 Issue 2 Pages 31-41
This study aimed to identify cognitive appraisals from motivational models and behavioural enaction models that explain variations in the differences between two consecutive stages of change for cervical cancer screening. In the study, 123 female students completed a questionnaire assessing their stage of change and related variables from the theory of planned behavior, prototype willingness model, and health action process approach. Path analysis predicting the difference between the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages showed that the difference was mainly explained by intention to undergo cervical cancer screening, which was explained by injunctive norm, self-efficacy, and prototype similarity. On the other hand, path analysis predicting the difference between the contemplation and action/maintenance stages showed that the difference was mainly explained by action planning, which was explained by intention, and the intention was explained by injunctive norm and prototype similarity. These findings suggest that motivational and behavioural enaction models can explain the differences between two consecutive stages. Additionally, the results suggest the need to consider differences across stages when developing interventions to move people to a higher stage.
