Health Belief Model Scale and Theory of Planned Behavior Scale to assess attitudes and perceptions of injury prevention program participation: An exploratory factor analysis

Objectives: To examine the psychometric properties of the Health Belief Model Scale (HBMS) and Theory of Planned Behavior Scale (TPBS), and determine construct validity by evaluating which subscales were most associated with intention to participate in an Exercise-related Injury Prevention Program (ERIPP) within physically active adults. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Two hundred and eighty-four physically active individuals volunteered to participate in this study and completed the HBMS and TPBS on one occasion. The HBMS consisted of 39 items and the TPBS consisted of 22 items. Both scales aimed to assess attitudes and perceptions of ERIPP participation. Exploratory factor analysis evaluated the loading factors of the HBMS and TPBS. Linear regression determined if the HBMS and TPBS subscales were predictors of intention to participate in an ERIPP. Results: Nine factors were identified within the HBMS and five factors were identified within the TPBS. The subscales of the HBMS and TPBS had acceptable internal consistencies. Perceived benefits, social norms, and social influence from the TPBS and perceived benefits, individual self-efficacy, and general health cues from the HBMS were positively and significantly associated with intention to participate while perceived barriers had a negative association. Conclusions: The HBMS and TPBS demonstrated strong psychometric properties to assess behavioral determinants of ERIPP participation within physically active adults. The social influence, social norm, and individual self-efficacy subscales were the best predictors of intention to participate followed by benefits, general health cues, and barriers.