CHANGES IN SELF-EFFICACY AND DECISIONAL BALANCE FOLLOWING AN INTERVENTION TO INCREASE CONSUMPTION OF CALCIUM-RICH FOODS

Abstract

In this randomized control study the changes in Transtheoretical Model (TTM; Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983) constructs (Self-Efficacy, Decisional Balance) after a tailored stage-based education program to increase calcium consumption in 40–65-year-old women were investigated. Postintervention, significantly more of the experimental group in comparison to the control group improved their calcium consumption stage of change. In the experimental group self-efficacy and pros of calcium consumption increased and cons decreased for those who had positive progression in stages of change but these constructs remained unchanged in individuals in the control group. The tailored education based on the TTM is an effective method of assisting women to progress through the calcium-rich foods consumption stages of change and can cause more actualized results for self-efficacy, pros and cons in the manner predicted by TTM.