Poster #79 - Using Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Mexican American Middle School Students' Behaviors for Addressing Violence

• In Event: 79.052 - MTCC Poster Session 19
  In Poster Session: 79.052-9 - Poster Session

Abstract

We examined intentions and behaviors of Mexican-American middle level students for addressing violence after participating in Do the Write Thing, a national violence prevention program for middle schools. Using Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework, we examined the posited relationships among variables from the TPB: attitudes, normative beliefs, and perceived behavioral control related to targeted behaviors should predict intentions, and intentions should predict behaviors (telling an adult about an incidence of bullying or violence; intervening to stop an incidence of bullying or violence; sharing ideas with adults for decreasing violence. Results from structural equation modeling indicated that in general, the proposed relationships were supported. Implications for the program and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Arturo Olivarez, The University of Texas - El Paso

• Sarah E. Peterson, University of Texas at El Paso

• Hector Hernandez, The University of Texas - El Paso

• Josefina V. Tinajero, The University of Texas - El Paso