Shih-Fan Lin

Abstract

The rate of participation in the strength and balance training (SBT) program, an effective fall prevention intervention, is very low among older adults. To increase older adults' participations in SBT programs, this study involved an observational and cross-sectional study design to understand factors that affect Taiwanese older adults' intention to attend SBT programs utilizing the theory of planned behavior. Questionnaires that measured constructs of the theory of planned behavior (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral, normative, and control beliefs) were collected from 221 community-dwelling Taiwanese elderly women between the age of 55 and 94. Simple correlations and multiple linear regressions were used for data analysis. Participants' intention to attend SBT programs was most strongly associated with perceived behavioral control followed by subjective norm, and attitude. Age was significantly and negatively correlated with perceived behavioral control. To increase older adults' perceived behavioral control which subsequently increases their intention to attend SBT programs, health educators should consider providing the optimal dose of exercise that tailors to individual with different age. Allowing participants to become more independent in daily life was the predominant behavioral outcome associated with participants' attitude. Participation approval from family and doctors had significant independent prediction of participants' subjective norm. Finally, performing SBT exercises in a place that is familiar to participants, the participants' being able to control the amount of SBT exercises that they desire to perform, and participants having enough willpower to complete the program were the three most influential control factors that predict participants' perceived behavioral control. These predicting factors would help health care professionals to positively influence older adults' decisions to attend SBT programs. Recommendations to increase older adults' attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control based on these factors were suggested in the dissertation.

School

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Jerry W. Lee

Second Advisor

Naomi Modeste

Third Advisor

Eric G. Johnson

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2009

Date (Title Page)

6-2009

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Falls (Accidents) in old age -- Prevention; Accidental Falls -- prevention & control -- in old age; Equilibrium -- in old age; Attitude to Health -- Taiwan; Cross-Sectional Studies -- Taiwan; Safety Management -- in old age

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

xii; 176

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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