IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v15y2018i10p2215-d174748.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Protective Behavioral Intentions against PM2.5 in Parents of Young Children from Urban and Rural Beijing, China

Author

Listed:
  • Shumei Liu

    (Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106, Taiwan)

  • Yi-Te Chiang

    (Graduate Institute of Environmental Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan)

  • Chie-Chien Tseng

    (Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106, Taiwan)

  • Eric Ng

    (School of Management and Enterprise, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia)

  • Gwo-Liang Yeh

    (Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106, Taiwan)

  • Wei-Ta Fang

    (Graduate Institute of Environmental Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan)

Abstract

Smog and air pollution have fast become significant environmental problems and are attributed to rapid global industrialization and urbanization. Emissions of fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) increase smog and air pollution, with strong impacts on human health. Children are particularly vulnerable. While increasing studies are being conducted on the behaviors leading to PM2.5 toxicity from the perspective of environmental toxicants, there is a lack of research on factors influencing anti-PM2.5 behavioral intentions. Thus, this study aims to narrow this gap by adapting the theory of planned behavior framework to investigate the effects of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on protective behavioral intentions against PM2.5. In total, 1277 online questionnaires were collected from parents of young children living in urban and rural areas of Beijing, and the data was analyzed using correlation, regression, and path analyses. Results revealed that there were significant differences between parents from urban and rural areas in terms of attitude ( t = 4.727 > 1.96, p < 0.001), subjective norms ( t = 5.529 > 1.96, p < 0.001), perceived behavioral control ( t = 6.155 > 1.96, p < 0.001), and anti-PM2.5 behavioral intentions ( t = 6.838 > 1.96, p < 0.001). Path analysis revealed that parents from urban and rural areas had different behavioral intention paths. For urban parents, the findings indicated that subjective norms (β = 0.73, t = 21.84 > 3.29) and perceived behavioral control (γ = 0.22, t = 6.12 > 3.29) had direct impacts on anti-PM2.5 behavioral intentions. In contrast, the attitudes (γ = 0.39, t = 3.74 > 3.29) and subjective norms (β = 0.60, t = 8.55 > 3.29) of rural parents were found to directly influence anti-PM2.5 behavioral intentions.

Suggested Citation

  • Shumei Liu & Yi-Te Chiang & Chie-Chien Tseng & Eric Ng & Gwo-Liang Yeh & Wei-Ta Fang, 2018. "The Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Protective Behavioral Intentions against PM2.5 in Parents of Young Children from Urban and Rural Beijing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:10:p:2215-:d:174748
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/10/2215/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/10/2215/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yang Yang & Liwen Luo & Chao Song & Hao Yin & Jintao Yang, 2018. "Spatiotemporal Assessment of PM 2.5 -Related Economic Losses from Health Impacts during 2014–2016 in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    3. Ru-Jin Huang & Yanlin Zhang & Carlo Bozzetti & Kin-Fai Ho & Jun-Ji Cao & Yongming Han & Kaspar R. Daellenbach & Jay G. Slowik & Stephen M. Platt & Francesco Canonaco & Peter Zotter & Robert Wolf & Sim, 2014. "High secondary aerosol contribution to particulate pollution during haze events in China," Nature, Nature, vol. 514(7521), pages 218-222, October.
    4. Chi Zhang, 2017. "Population in China," Europe-Asia Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 69(8), pages 1333-1334, September.
    5. Botetzagias, Iosif & Dima, Andora-Fani & Malesios, Chrisovaladis, 2015. "Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior in the context of recycling: The role of moral norms and of demographic predictors," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 58-67.
    6. Wei-Ta Fang & Eric Ng & Mei-Chuan Chang, 2017. "Physical Outdoor Activity versus Indoor Activity: Their Influence on Environmental Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-12, July.
    7. Paul, Justin & Modi, Ashwin & Patel, Jayesh, 2016. "Predicting green product consumption using theory of planned behavior and reasoned action," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 123-134.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Siu-Kei Woo & Chih-Jui Pai & Yi-Te Chiang & Wei-Ta Fang, 2023. "Predicting the Protective Behavioral Intentions for Parents with Young Children Living in Taipei City and New Taipei City Using the Theory of Planned Behavior for Air Polluted with PM2.5," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Xuan Liu & Qiancheng Wang & Hsi-Hsien Wei & Hung-Lin Chi & Yaotian Ma & Izzy Yi Jian, 2020. "Psychological and Demographic Factors Affecting Household Energy-Saving Intentions: A TPB-Based Study in Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Muhammad Yaseen Bhutto & Xiaohui Liu & Yasir Ali Soomro & Myriam Ertz & Yasser Baeshen, 2020. "Adoption of Energy-Efficient Home Appliances: Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-25, December.
    4. Diana Puspita Sari & Nur Aini Masruroh & Anna Maria Sri Asih, 2021. "Consumer Intention to Participate in E-Waste Collection Programs: A Study of Smartphone Waste in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-28, March.
    5. Guomin Li & Wei Li & Zihan Jin & Zhihao Wang, 2019. "Influence of Environmental Concern and Knowledge on Households’ Willingness to Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances: A Case Study in Shanxi, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, February.
    6. Alessandro Concari & Gerjo Kok & Pim Martens, 2020. "A Systematic Literature Review of Concepts and Factors Related to Pro-Environmental Consumer Behaviour in Relation to Waste Management Through an Interdisciplinary Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-50, May.
    7. Wei Zheng & Hongliang Qiu & Alastair M. Morrison, 2023. "Applying a Combination of SEM and fsQCA to Predict Tourist Resource-Saving Behavioral Intentions in Rural Tourism: An Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-23, January.
    8. Hsu, Chia-Lin & Chang, Chi-Ya & Yansritakul, Chutinart, 2017. "Exploring purchase intention of green skincare products using the theory of planned behavior: Testing the moderating effects of country of origin and price sensitivity," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 145-152.
    9. Mohammad H. Pakravan & Nordica MacCarty, 2020. "What Motivates Behavior Change? Analyzing User Intentions to Adopt Clean Technologies in Low-Resource Settings Using the Theory of Planned Behavior," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-32, June.
    10. Tuğba Yeğin & Muhammad Ikram, 2022. "Analysis of Consumers’ Electric Vehicle Purchase Intentions: An Expansion of the Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-27, September.
    11. Jaiswal, Deepak & Kant, Rishi, 2018. "Green purchasing behaviour: A conceptual framework and empirical investigation of Indian consumers," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 60-69.
    12. Menrad, K. & Emberger-Klein, A. & Schops, J., 2018. "Factors influencing consumers behavioral intention towards climate-friendly food consumption in Southern Germany," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277108, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    13. Yu Hao & Yingting Wang & Qiuwei Wu & Shiwei Sun & Weilu Wang & Menglin Cui, 2020. "What affects residents' participation in the circular economy for sustainable development? Evidence from China," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(5), pages 1251-1268, September.
    14. Jana Hojnik & Mitja Ruzzier & Tatiana S. Manolova, 2020. "Sustainable development: Predictors of green consumerism in Slovenia," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 1695-1708, July.
    15. Bireswar Dutta & Hsin-Ginn Hwang, 2021. "Consumers Purchase Intentions of Green Electric Vehicles: The Influence of Consumers Technological and Environmental Considerations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-23, October.
    16. Maria Rodrigues & João F. Proença & Rita Macedo, 2023. "Determinants of the Purchase of Secondhand Products: An Approach by the Theory of Planned Behaviour," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    17. Xingwei Li & Jiachi Dai & Xiaowen Zhu & Jingru Li & Jinrong He & Yicheng Huang & Xiang Liu & Qiong Shen, 2023. "Mechanism of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence the green development behavior of construction enterprises," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    18. Nketiah, Emmanuel & Song, Huaming & Obuobi, Bright & Adu-Gyamfi, Gibbson & Adjei, Mavis & Cudjoe, Dan, 2022. "Citizens' willingness to pay for local anaerobic digestion energy: The influence of altruistic value and knowledge," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    19. Jinsoo Hwang & Hyunjoon Kim, 2019. "Consequences of a green image of drone food delivery services: The moderating role of gender and age," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 872-884, July.
    20. Yiming Shao & Zhugen Wang & Zhiwei Zhou & Haojing Chen & Yuanlong Cui & Zhenghuan Zhou, 2022. "Determinants Affecting Public Intention to Use Micro-Vertical Farming: A Survey Investigation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-26, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:10:p:2215-:d:174748. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.