Quick on the uptake: Theory of Planned Behaviour variables predict organizational uptake of health research

Abstract

The uptake of research in community-based service organizations (CBSOs) that promote active and healthy living in adults with a disability is poor. To understand research use in these CSBOs, the purpose of this study was to test a model of theory of planned behaviour variables to predict research use. Employees (N=62) from Canadian CSBOs responded to an online survey assessing individuals' attitudes, subjective norms, intentions, and the self-efficacy component of perceived behavioural control, along with two indicators of research use: 1) extent to which research was used when developing the last program and 2) ability to keep informed of the latest research. Regression-based path analysis was used to analyze a model to predict each indicator. In both models, attitudes (ß=.67, p<.05), subjective norms (ß=.13, p>.05) and self-efficacy (ß=.14, p>.05) explained 66% of the variance in intentions to use research. Intentions (ß=.62, p<.05) and self-efficacy (ß=.22, p<.05) had a significant relationship with the extent to which research was used in the last program (R²= 54%). Regarding the ability to keep informed of the latest research, intentions (ß=.46, p<.05) and self-efficacy (ß=.49, p<.05) were also significantly related to this indicator (R²= 88%). Interventions aimed at fostering CSBOs employees' attitudes, intentions and self-efficacy regarding research use would be fruitful to increase research uptake in CSBOs that promote healthy living in adults with a disability.

Acknowledgments: This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.