Annotated Bibliography
Liu, C., Zhao, Y., Shi, Z., Zhang, J., & Schoufour, J. (2020). Determinants of intention to receive influenza vaccination among Chinese adults: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. *Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 16*(7), 1511–1518. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1704132
Liu and colleagues explored what drives Chinese adults to consider influenza vaccination using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A cross-sectional survey was conducted in an urban setting, measuring attitudes, perceived norms, and behavioral control as predictors of intention. Findings showed all three factors significantly influenced willingness to vaccinate, with subjective norms playing the most dominant role. The authors, trained in epidemiology and public health, strengthen the credibility of the study by employing validated measures. While the study adds cultural depth to TPB, its cross-sectional design prevents any causal claims, and reliance on self-reported data may reduce accuracy. The article is written for health professionals and policymakers interested in increasing vaccine coverage. Its contribution lies in demonstrating how social expectations interact with personal beliefs to guide preventive health actions, particularly in non-Western populations. By highlighting subjective norms as a strong predictor, the study points to targeted strategies for boosting vaccination campaigns in culturally diverse contexts.
White, K. M., Hyde, M. K., & O’Connor, E. L. (2020). Predicting sunscreen use among young adults: An application of the Theory of Planned Behavior and protection motivation theory. *Journal of Health Psychology, 25*(12), 1946–1956. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105318770725
White and colleagues studied sunscreen use intentions among Australian young adults by combining the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with protection motivation theory. Using a survey with 400 participants, they assessed attitudes, norms, control beliefs, and perceptions of risk. Results showed that TPB constructs explained much of the variance in sunscreen use, with attitudes emerging as the strongest predictor. The authors, experienced in behavioral health research, lend credibility through well-structured survey design and rigorous analysis. Limitations include reliance on self-report and measuring intention rather than actual behavior, which narrows generalizability. The article is geared toward health psychology researchers and practitioners developing interventions for skin cancer prevention. Its significance lies in showing that while perceived risk matters, positive attitudes and normative support weigh more heavily in shaping protective behavior. The study demonstrates TPB’s strength as a predictive framework and illustrates how pairing it with complementary theories offers richer insights for practical public health campaigns.
Armitage, C. J., Rowe, R., & Arden, M. A. (2021). Testing the effectiveness of implementation intentions in reducing alcohol consumption: An application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. *Addictive Behaviors, 114,* 106737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106737
Armitage, Rowe, and Arden tested whether forming implementation intentions could reduce alcohol consumption among university students, grounding their study in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). In a randomized controlled trial, participants were asked to create specific action plans about drinking less. The intervention group reported significantly fewer drinks than controls, showing that pairing TPB constructs with planning techniques can enhance actual behavior change. The article is intended for researchers and practitioners working in addiction prevention and behavioral health. Strengths include its experimental design and clear theoretical integration, which boost reliability. Weaknesses stem from reliance on self-reported alcohol intake and the limited diversity of a student sample, which restrict broader application. Even with these caveats, the study contributes meaningful evidence that TPB can guide not only prediction but also practical interventions. By operationalizing intention formation, it demonstrates a direct path from theory to measurable reductions in risky behavior among young adults.