In recent years a growing number of people have become health-conscious in Korea. In particular, people are now largely aware of the importance of psychological processes expected to take place along with their past and potential health-related experi...
In recent years a growing number of people have become health-conscious in Korea. In particular, people are now largely aware of the importance of psychological processes expected to take place along with their past and potential health-related experiences as being reflected in the rates of diseases and deaths.
The purpose of this study was to investigate smoking behavior by comparing the health belief model (Becker, Haefner와 Maiman, 1977) with the theory of planned behavior (Fishbein과 Ajzen, 1975; Ajzen, 1991). Respondents were 377 smoking adults(79 women, 298 men). They were asked to complete a questionnaire to examine theoretical constructs smoking behavior and to conduct the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. The data was analyzed to measure reliability and validity of each of component of the models. AMOS 4.0 was used to analyze goodness of fit of models. Main findings of this study are as follows: fit indices of Health belief Model were CFI=.93, NNFI=.92, RMSEA=.09, ECVI=7.94 and theory of planned behavior were CFI=.95 NNFI=.94, RMSEA=.08, ECVI=4.43; Fit indices of modified theory of planned behavior with habit produce CFI=.95, NNFI=.94, RMSEA=.08, ECVI=5.63. Based on these results, it was concluded that smoking behavior is accounted for better by the theory of planned behavior than health belief model.
The implication of the results is important in light of the habit components. It is likely that the reliance to nicotine would hardly be overcome once habituated, and it is suggested that the importance of non-smoking must be educated, starting in elementary schools.