Lung cancer patients' decisions about clinical trials and the theory of planned behavior.
The theory of planned behavior explores the relationship between behavior, beliefs, attitudes, and intentions presupposing that behavioral intention is influenced by a person's attitude about the behavior and beliefs about whether individuals, who are important to them, approve or disapprove of the behavior (subjective norm). An added dimension to the theory is the idea of perceived behavioral control, or the belief that one has control over performing the behavior. The theory of planned behavior suggests that people may make greater efforts to perform a behavior if they feel they have a high level of control over it. In this examination of data, we explored the application of the theory of planned behavior to patient's decisions about participating in a clinic trial. Twelve respondents in this study had previously participated in a clinical trial for lung cancer and nine respondents had declined a clinical trial for lung cancer. The data were analyzed with regard to the four constructs associated with the theory of planned behavior: behavioral intention, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Results indicate that the theory of planned behavior may be a useful tool to examine psychosocial needs in relation to behavioral intention of clinical trial participation.
Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. gwen.quinn@moffitt.org
Gwendolyn P
GP
Quinn
Christie L
CL
Pratt
Kathy
K
Bryant-George
Vicki D
VD
Caraway
Bonnie
B
Paternoster
Tere
T
Roldan
Andrea
A
Shaffer
Cynthia O
CO
Shimizu
Elizabeth J
EJ
Vaughn
Charles
C
Williams
Gerold
G
Bepler
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012107:Research Design; D055752:Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology