Psychometric properties of the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ) in Dominican Republic adolescents

Introduction: This work represents the first attempt to obtain evidence of the validity of an entrepreneurial intention questionnaire in the adolescent population of a Latin American or Caribbean country. The objectives are to study the factor structure, the reliability, the external validity and to test the gender invariance of the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire, in its adaptation for adolescents. Method: The sample consisted of 708 adolescents from the Dominican Republic with a mean age of 15.49, 65.2% of whom were women and 35.8% were men. Analyses included confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's Alpha and Omega scores for reliability, correlations, and a gender invariance routine. Finally, latent means of females and males are compared. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit to the data and the reliability results were adequate. In addition, the correlations with the Entrepreneurial Attitudes Scale for Students were positive and statistically significant. Also, strict gender invariance was successfully verified. Although males presented a higher subjective norm, females showed higher entrepreneurial intentions. Conclusions: The Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire shows adequate psychometric properties and proves useful in conducting research on the promotion of entrepreneurship in early stages.

Introducción: Este trabajo supone el primer intento de obtener evidencias de validez de un cuestionario de intención emprendedora en adolescentes en un país de Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Tiene como objetivos reportar la estructura interna, fiabilidad, validez externa y probar la invarianza de género del Cuestionario de Intención Emprendedora en su adaptación para adolescentes. Método: La muestra está formada por 708 adolescentes de República Dominicana con una media edad de 15.49, un 65.2% de mujeres y un 35.8% hombres. Los análisis incluyeron análisis factorial confirmatorio, resultados de Alfa de Cronbach y Omega para la fiabilidad, correlaciones y una rutina de invarianza por género. Finalmente se compararon las medias latentes de hombres y mujeres. Resultados: El análisis factorial mostró un buen ajuste a los datos y los resultados de fiabilidad fueron adecuados. Además, las correlaciones con la Escala de Actitudes Emprendedoras para Estudiantes fueron positivas y estadísticamente significativas. También, se comprobó satisfactoriamente la invarianza estricta por género. Aunque los hombres presentaron mayor norma subjetiva, las mujeres mostraron una mayor intención emprendedora. Conclusiones: El Cuestionario de Intención Emprendedora muestra adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para que sea de utilidad en las investigaciones sobre la promoción del emprendimiento en etapas tempranas.

Intentions and Behavioural Determinants in the Face of COvID-19 Pandemic: A Theory of Planned Behaviour and Risk Perception Model / Intenciones y determinantes del comportamiento ante la pandemia de COvID-19: un modelo de teoría del comportamiento planificado y percepción del riesgo / Intenções e determinantes do comportamento diante da pandemia de COvID-19: um modelo teórico de comportamento planejado e percepção de risco

The containment of COVID-19 implied challenges for governments and health authorities to motivate citizens to adopt several prevention behaviours (i.e., wearing a face mask and washing hands frequently). This paper aims to identify the factors that encourage people to adopt these behaviours. Our analysis was conducted over data collected by ASCOfAPSI and the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona about attitudes and beliefs related to the pandemic from 919 people from Colombia. The data was collected using an online snowball sampling between May and June 2020. We found that each prevention behaviour is motivated by a different set of factors. Specifically, based on the theory of planned behaviour, our results suggest that the intention to adopt a preventive behaviour is pre- dicted by a group of variables about subjective norms and attitudes as independent variables and another one linked to perceived control as mediator variables. This suggests that the motivation for prevention behaviours from authorities should be particular to each behaviour and consider the associated particular pattern of motivations and the sociodemographic characteristics and possibilities of action.

La contención del COVID-19 implica desafíos para los gobiernos y las autoridades de salud pública, a fin de motivar a los ciudadanos a que adopten las conductas de prevención (i.e., usar tapabocas, lavarse las manos frecuentemente). El propósito de este artículo es identificar los factores que motivan a las personas a adoptar tales conductas. Nuestro análisis se realizó con datos recolectados por ASCOfAPSI y la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona sobre actitudes y creencias acerca de la pandemia de 919 personas de Colombia. Con este análisis encontramos que cada clase de conducta de prevención está motivada por un conjunto de factores diferentes. Específicamente, asumiendo la teoría de la acción planeada, nuestros resultados dan soporte a la tesis de que la intención de adoptar un tipo de conducta de prevención está predicha por un conjunto de variables sobre normas subjetivas y actitudes como variables in- dependientes y un conjunto de variables vinculadas al control comportamental percibido como variables mediadoras. Esto sugiere que la motivación hacia las conductas de prevención por parte de las autoridades debería ser particular a cada tipo de conducta de prevención, y debería considerar el patrón de motivación particular asociado, así como particularidades sociodemográficas y diferentes posibilidades de acción.

A contenção do COVID-19 implica desafios para governos e autoridades de saúde pública para motivar os cidadãos a adotar comportamentos preventivos (i.e., usar máscaras faciais, lavar as mãos com frequência). O objetivo deste artigo é identificar os fatores que motivam as pessoas a adotar tais comportamentos. Nossa análise foi realizada em dados coletados pela ASCOfAPSI e pela Universidade Autônoma de Barcelona sobre atitudes e crenças sobre a pandemia de 919 pessoas da Colômbia. Com esta análise, descobrimos que cada classe de comportamento de prevenção é motivada por um conjunto diferente de fatores. Especificamente, assumindo a teoria da ação planejada, nossos resultados suportam a tese de que a intenção de adotar um tipo de comportamento de prevenção é predita por um conjunto de variáveis sobre normas sub- jetivas e atitudes como variáveis independentes e um conjunto de variáveis ligadas ao controle comportamental percebido como variáveis mediadoras. Isto sugere que a motivação para comportamentos de prevenção por parte das autoridades deve ser particular a cada tipo de comportamento de prevenção e deve considerar o padrão particular de motivação a ele associado, bem como particularidades sociodemográficas e diferentes possibilidades de ação.

Understanding Work-Related Intentions Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour: A Systematic Review (Memahami Kehendak Berkaitan Kerja Menggunakan Teori Tingkah Laku Terancang: Tinjauan Literatur Sistematik) / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Work can guarantee financial stability and quality of life, foster identity and self-confidence and ensure social wellbeing. Thus, it is vital to understand the motivation and intention to work. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) has been used extensively in theory and research in a wide range of human behaviours. However, research on the efficacy of the TPB in the vocational realm remains limited. This study aims to review the applications of the TPB in work-related intention. Relevant studies were systematically searched using standardised keywords across two databases. Three hundred and sixty-six research articles (n=366) were identified, however, only seven articles (n=7) were eligible to be evaluated in this study using the Assessment for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) tool. All studies confirmed the efficacy of the TPB in explaining work intentions. The explained variance in intention varied from 10% (post-retirement work intention) to 59% (to work with older adults). However, the underlying core constructs of TPB namely attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control (PBC) do not always altogether consistently predict the intention to work. Besides, few review studies have reported variables that are not included in TPB, such as moral obligation, identity, and tenure, which contributed to a significant amount of variance in intention. Overall, the findings of this review indicated that TPB is helpful in understanding work intention. However, further investigation is needed to estimate the extended variables’ performance in explaining intentions and to cover a broader aspect of work intentions.

Underlying factors influencing street food vendors' implementation of food safety behaviours

This study aimed to determine the underlying factors influencing street food vendors' implementation of food safety behaviours related to food handling. A questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour was applied to 303 street food vendors in Southern Brazil. Open-ended questions identified that consequences related to consumers were important factors influencing street food vendors' food safety behaviour. Also, water supply and lack of water were identified, respectively, as possible facilitators and barriers to carry out food safety behaviours such as handwashing and cleaning the shelf used to prepare food. Optimistic bias was identified and the majority of street food vendors gave positive results related to perceived behavioural control, subjective norm, attitude and behavioural intention. Improvements are needed in government regulation, infrastructure and food safety training for this sector, with measures that reflect and are adapted to the street food environment.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar los factores subyacentes que influyen en la implementación del comportamiento de seguridad de los alimentos en la manipulación de alimentos por vendedores ambulantes de alimentos. Se aplicó un cuestionario basado en la Teoría del Comportamiento Planificado a 303 vendedores ambulantes de alimentos en el sur de Brasil. Las preguntas abiertas identificaron que las consecuencias relacionadas con los consumidores eran factores importantes que influían en el comportamiento de seguridad de los alimentos por parte de los vendedores ambulantes de alimentos. También se identificaron el suministro de agua y la falta de agua, respectivamente, como posibles facilitadores y barreras para realizar comportamientos de seguridad de los alimentos como lavarse las manos y limpiar la mesa de trabajo que utilizan para preparar los alimentos. Se identificó sesgo optimista y la mayoría de los vendedores ambulantes de alimentos dieron resultados positivos relacionados con el control conductual percibido, la norma subjetiva, la actitud y la intención de comportamiento. Se necesitan mejoras en la regulación gubernamental, la infraestructura y la capacitación en seguridad de los alimentos para el sector, con medidas que reflejen y se adapten al entorno de la comida callejera.

Factors associated with condom use behaviour among young university students / Fatores associados ao uso de camisinha entre jovens universitários / Factores asociados con el uso del condom entre jóvenes universitarios

As the rates of sexually transmitted infections among Brazilian youth rise, college students present with low rates of condom use. Understanding which factors affect preventive behaviours may assist in promoting them. This study aimed to test the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as a model of condom use behaviour among young university students. Data on sexual behaviour, TPB, and personality variables were collected online with 343 sexually active students aged between 18 and 29. Seventy participants also provided follow-up data after 30 days. Structural equation models and ordinal regressions were used to analyse the effects of TPB variables on condom use behaviour. Attitude was the main predictor of behavioural intention in the cross-sectional and longitudinal models. Being in a relationship and lower age at sexual debut were also associated with less frequent condom use behaviour in the cross-sectional analysis. Behavioural intention and perceived control were associated with condom use behaviour. (AU)

Enquanto a incidência de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis cresce entre jovens brasileiros, universitários apresentam pouco uso de preservativos. Compreender quais fatores afetam a adoção de comportamentos preventivos pode auxiliar na sua promoção. Esse estudo testou a Teoria do Comportamento Planejado (TCP) como modelo de uso de camisinha entre jovens universitários. Foram coletados dados sobre comportamento sexual, TCP, e personalidade em questionário online com 343 estudantes sexualmente ativos entre 18 e 29 anos de idade. Setenta participantes também responderam ao follow-up após 30 dias. Modelos de equações estruturais e regressões ordinais foram usados para analisar os efeitos das variáveis da TCP no uso de preservativo. Atitude foi o principal preditor da intenção comportamental nos modelos transversal e longitudinal. Estar em um relacionamento e menor idade na primeira relação sexual também foram associados a uso menos frequente de preservativo na análise transversal. Intenção comportamental e controle percebido foram associados com uso de preservativo. (AU)

Mientras la incidencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual aumenta entre los jóvenes brasileños, los estudiantes universitarios reportan poco uso de preservativos. Comprender qué factores inciden en la adopción de conductas preventivas puede ayudar en su promoción. Este estudio probó la Teoría del Comportamiento Planeado (TCP) como modelo de uso de preservativos entre jóvenes universitarios. Los datos sobre comportamiento sexual, TCP y personalidad fueron recopilados en un cuestionario en línea con 343 estudiantes sexualmente activos entre 18 y 29 años. Setenta participantes también respondieron al seguimiento después de 30 días. Se utilizaron modelos de ecuaciones estructurales y regresiones ordinales para analizar los efectos de las variables de TCP sobre la utilización del condón. La actitud fue el principal predictor de la intención en los modelos transversal y longitudinal. Estar en una relación y una edad más temprana en la primera relación sexual se asociaron con el uso menos frecuente de preservativo en el análisis transversal. La intención conductual y el control percibido se asociaron con el uso de condones. (AU)

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Predict Intention to Comply to Iron Supplement during Pregnancy

@#Introduction The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended iron supplementation to overcome anaemia in pregnancy. In Malaysia, half of pregnant women with anaemia do not comply to iron supplement. The purpose of this study is to develop, assess psychometric properties (via Exploratory Factor Analysis) and validation (via Confirmatory Factor Analysis) of a questionnaire that evaluates attitude towards adherence to iron supplement based on Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Methods Based on the guidelines for construction of the TPB based questionnaire, 18 items were created initially by using the findings from a semi-quantitative survey, literature reviews and experts’ opinion. From content validity by 3 experts, 15 items with content validity ratio (CVR) of ≥0.99 were retained. From a pilot test for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), total of 12 items were retained, and classified into 3 components and termed as “Attitude”, “Subjective Norms” and “Perceived Behaviour Control”. Results Cronbach Alpha for the 12 items was 0.814, and for each component were 0.844, 0.813 and 0.901 respectively, which indicates acceptable internal consistency. During the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), a final 10 items were retained. Conclusions The construct validity was good where the Fitness Index have achieved the threshold (p-value >0.05, RMSEA <0.08, CFI >0.90 and the ChiSq/df ratio <3.00). The convergent validity and composite reliability were good i.e. Average Variance Extracted (AVE) ≥0.50, and Composite Reliability (CR) ≥0.60 respectively. As a conclusion, this newly developed questionnaire was validated and potentially reliable in assessing attitude and predicting adherence to iron supplement among pregnant women specifically in Malaysia.

Gender differences in theory-based predictors of physical activity in university students with disabilities / Diferencias de género en predictores teóricos de la actividad física en alumnado universitario con discapacidad

Abstract University students with disabilities engage in physical activity to a lesser extent than their able-bodied peers, with women reporting less physical activity than men. The present study aimed to examine gender differences in theory-based predictors of physical activity in this population. Spanish university students with different disabilities (n = 1076) completed measures of the Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs and the reduced Spanish version of the Barriers to Physical Activity Questionnaire for People with Mobility Impairments. Self-efficacy and controllability were significantly lower in women and gender differences on the barriers predicting controllability were obtained. In conclusion, the present results could be useful in order to implement physical activity behaviour change interventions which differently target men and women with disabilities.

Resumen El alumnado universitario con discapacidad participa en actividad física en menor medida que el alumnado sin discapacidad, reportando las mujeres menor actividad física que los hombres. Este artículo tuvo por objetivo examinar las diferencias de género en predictores teóricos de la actividad física en esta población. Una muestra de alumnado universitario con diferentes discapacidades (n = 1076) completó medidas de los constructos de la teoría de la conducta planeada y la versión reducida en español del instrumento Barriers to Physical Activity Questionnaire for People with Mobility Impairments. La autoeficacia y la controlabilidad fueron significativamente menores en las mujeres y se encontraron diferencias de género en las barreras que predijeron la controlabilidad. En conclusión, los presentes resultados pueden ser útiles para desarrollar intervenciones de cambio de comportamiento en la actividad física que aborden de forma diferente a los hombres y las mujeres con discapacidad.

Consumer preferences toward organic food and the moderating role of knowledge: a case of Pakistan and Malaysia / Fatores que afetam as preferências do consumidor na intenção de compra de alimentos orgânicos e o papel moderador do conhecimento no Paquistão e na Malásia

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to identify the elements of the Theory of Planned Behaviour along with health consciousness and determine the role of knowledge as a moderating variable in Pakistan and Malaysia. Three hundred and forty-one observations from Pakistan and 280 observations from Malaysia were acquired through questionnaire; while, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling was applied for the analysis. The magnitude of the results varied across both countries; however, attitude, subjective norms and health consciousness, as well as their interaction terms, were significant predictors, whereas, perceived behavioural control and its knowledge interaction terms had insignificant impacts on the purchase intentions of consumers for both countries. This research will help to further understand about consumer perception in the purchase of organic food items, which will assist retailers, advertisers and manufacturers in developing strategies for such products.

RESUMO: O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar os elementos da teoria do comportamento planejado juntamente com a consciência em saúde, e determinar o papel do conhecimento como uma variável moderadora no Paquistão e na Malásia. 341 observações do Paquistão e 280 observações da Malásia foram adquiridas através de questionário; enquanto que análise fatorial confirmatória e modelagem de equações estruturais foram aplicadas para a análise. A magnitude dos resultados variou entre os dois países. No entanto, atitudes, normas subjetivas e consciência da saúde, bem como seus termos de interação, foram preditores significativos, enquanto que controle comportamental percebido e seus termos de interação do conhecimento tiveram impactos insignificantes nas intenções de compra dos consumidores para os dois países. Esta pesquisa ajudará a entender melhor a percepção do consumidor na compra de alimentos orgânicos, o que ajudará varejistas, anunciantes e fabricantes no desenvolvimento de estratégias para esses produtos.

Evaluating The Implementation Of A Canteen-Based Food Nutrition Intervention Among Schoolchildren: A Prospective Intervention Study

@#Background: School children are at great risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Their eating pattern in school is influenced by the availability of food served within the school environment. The purpose of this paper was to determine the effectiveness of a canteen-based food nutrition intervention, designed according to the theory of planned behaviour, on the knowledge, perception and choices of healthy food among primary schoolchildren. Methods: This was a prospective intervention study using a two-group design. Six school canteens from the ninety-eight primary schools were randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. All the food handlers in the intervention group were given a twelve-week training course in food nutrition. On the completion of the course, 293 Standard Six students from these schools, were interviewed with a nutritional questionnaire on food in their school canteens. The training programme for the intervention group and the questionnaire for the students were developed and validated for the study, and a power calculation made for the sample size of students.Results: The students in both groups were homogeneous in gender and body mass. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 19.26 (SD: 0.38) and 19.47 (SD: 0.39) for the intervention and the control group respectively. There were more schoolchildren in the intervention group who purchased foods in school canteens (p 0.0036)of milk and milk products (p 0.034), and white rice (p<0.001). Fewer purchased fast food (p<0.001), and more had a better perception towards serving of healthy food (p 0.001). There were no significant differences in the knowledge level (p 0.095) and purchased fruit (p 0.557) between the groups. Conclusion: A school-based nutrition programme was associated with significant improvement in the perception of students towards foods served in school canteens and in their choices of healthy food. The study provided a framework for the design and implementation of future food nutrition intervention in school canteens.

Validación del Cuestionario de Intención Emprendedora en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios de Colombia / Validation of the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire in a Sample of University Students from Colombia

RESUMEN Este artículo presenta la validación del Cuestionario de Intención Emprendedora (CIE) en Colombia. Este cuestionario, desarrollado y validado en España (Rueda, Moriano, & Liñán, 2015), se enmarca dentro de la Teoría de la Acción Planificada (TAI, Ajzen, 1991). La TAP resulta en la actualidad el modelo más ampliamente utilizado para predecir las intenciones emprendedoras. Con una muestra de 316 estudiantes universitarios colombianos, el modelado de ecuaciones estructurales confirma que el CIE tiene una alta fiabilidad y validez predictiva sobre la intención emprendedora. Disponer de escalas de medida fiables y validadas en distintos contextos culturales permite las comparaciones entre distintas entidades y/o para una misma entidad en diferentes momentos (por ejemplo, antes y después de impartir un curso orientado al emprendimiento). Un mejor conocimiento de los antecedentes psicosociales (actitudes hacia el emprendimiento, norma subjetiva y autoeficacia emprendedora) que conducen a jóvenes universitarios a emprender puede contribuir a un diseño más adecuado de los programas de formación emprendedora que se están impulsando en muchas universidades y desde otro tipo de instituciones.

ABSTRACT This paper presents the validation of the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ) in Colombia. This questionnaire, developed and validated in Spain (Rueda, Moriano, & Linân, 2015), draws on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB, Ajzen, 1991). The TPB is the most widely used model for predicting entrepreneurial intention nowadays. With a sample of 316 Colombian university students, the results of the structural equation modeling confirm that the EIQ has a high reliability and predictive validity of entrepreneurial intentions. The availability of reliable measurement scales validated in different cultural contexts allows comparisons among institutions and/or within an institution along the time (e.g. before and after a course on entrepreneurship). A deep understanding of the psychosocial antecedents (i.e. attitudes toward entrepreneurship, subjective norms, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy) that lead young university students to become entrepreneurs might contribute to a better design of the entrepreneurship education programmes that are being developed from universities and other institutions.