Beliefs underlying intentions to participate in group parenting education

Abstract

The present study examined the underlying behavioural, normative and control beliefs related to intention to participate in group parenting education amongst 176 parents, using Ajzen and Madden’s (1986) theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical framework. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess their behavioural, normative and control beliefs in regards to participation. To examine beliefs, a series of multivariate analyses of variance were conducted which revealed that behavioural, normative and control beliefs distinguished between parents intending to participate in group parenting education and those who did not intend to participate. Specifically, intenders and non-intenders differed in terms of beliefs regarding: the costs (e.g., restricted approach) and benefits (e.g., improving the relationship with their children); the perceptions of important referents (e.g., family) and factors inhibiting (e.g., cost) control over participation. Results of a multiple regression analysis revealed the most important predictors of intentions were behavioural beliefs. These findings provide important applied information that can be utilised to inform future strategies to increase participation rates.