HEALTH BELIEFS AND LOCUS OF CONTROL IN RELATION TO INFANT AUTO SAFETY SEAT USE: EFFECTS OF AN EDUCATIONAL MOTIVATIONAL PROGRAM
Abstract
This study sought to identify the demographic correlates of CRD use, to test the effectiveness of Rosenstock's Health Belief Model and the Internality-Externality Scale of Rotter's Health Belief Model and the Internality-Externality Scale of Rotter's Social Learning Theory in predicting child restraint device (CRD) use, and to demonstrate the efficacy of an educational/motivational program in accomplishing greater CRD use. Subjects were 128 postpartal women. Control and experimental groups were formed sequentially. Participants completed a questionnaire which included measures of locus of control, health beliefs and demographic data. The experimental treatment consisted of an informal discussion period with specific selected content included informally, opportunity to view a film concerning auto safety for children, pamphlets and opportunity to practice with a CRD. Dependent variables were CRD use on a single outing immediately prior to the follow-up interview, and reported general frequency of use since birth. Demographic characteristics which were found to differentiate significantly between users and nonusers of CRDs included age, marital status, income, residence type, locus of control, vehicle size, and education. Subsets of the Health Beliefs about Children and Auto Accidents (HBCAA) instrument were tested for their relationships to CRD use and frequency of use. Subsets measured perceptions of Susceptibility, Seriousness, Benefits, Barriers and Control. Significant correlations were found between the subset Susceptibility and CRD use, between Susceptibility and frequency of use, and between Benefits and frequency of use. The p < .10 level of significance was held to be critical for all analyses. The relationship between Rotter's Internality-Externality Scale measure of locus of control (LOC) and CRD use was not significant. The relationship between LOC and frequency of use was significant as was the relationship between LOC and the HBCAA subset Control which purports to measure the perception of control a parent feels if a child should be involved in an auto accident. No significant effects were identified as a result of the experimental program. This outcome may have been influenced by a media blitz scheduled in the state to coincide with legislation concerning CRD use. At the time of data collection radio and TV announcements encouraged parents to use CRDs for their children.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Health education
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