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Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) maintains that an individual's behavior can be predicted based on attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and especially, intentions. The TPB has previously been employed to predict consummatory behaviors, such as vitamin supplement and diet. This is the first study to apply the TPB as a diagnostic screening tool for the detection of self-reported eating disorders. Surveys were administered, comprised of questions concerning biographical information, body satisfaction, and 36 items clustered into TPB categories: Attitudes, Social Norms, Perceived Behavioral Control, Intentions, and Behaviors. Consistent with Ajzen's TPB, a linear regression analysis demonstrated that these factors predicted Intentions. Moreover, the results showed that Intentions significantly predicted selfreported behavior, self-reported eating disorders, of individuals. Additionally, both body satisfaction and body mass index failed to produce significant results, further verifying that in comparison, the TPB is palpably the superior predictor of behavior.
A relatively limited amount of theory-driven research has been conducted on the detection of eating disorders. Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been employed to predict behaviors in individuals, especially in the health field (1991). The theory states that an individual's behavior can be predicted based on their Attitudes, Subjective Norms, Perceived Behavioral Control, and especially, Intentions (See Figure 1).
Miller (2005) defined components of the theory illustrating each with the decision to implement a new program of regular exercise. Attitudes involve total beliefs about the consequences of particular behaviors weighted by evaluations of these beliefs, e.g., exercise improves physical health, looks and vigor, but exercise may be time-consuming, and is uncomfortable.
Subjective norms are comprised of influences from the person's social costs and benefits of exercise. A Subjective norm is the combined expectation from relevant individuals or groups, along with intentions to conform; perceptions of salient others' expectations about performing or not performing the target behavior (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1975). Perceived Behavioral Control is the expectation that a person can control an outcome. Behavioral intention is a function of both attitudes and subjective norms about the target behavior, predicting actual behavior. Behavioral intention assesses the relative strength of a person's intention to perform a behavior. Intentions imply the strength of one's commitment to engage in the behavior outcome.
Ajzen's TPB has previously predicted types of planned consummatory...