Group Project Outlinehealth Behavior Theory Analysis Reportfor This R ✓ Solved

-Group Project Outline Health Behavior Theory Analysis Report For this report, students will work in teams to identify an adverse health behavior which have a negative impact on public health (see Grading Rubric below). Subsequently, an appropriate health behavior theory will be selected to describe the existence and persistence of the health behavior, including synthesis of major theoretical constructs. More information about this major assignment will be provided in class. APA → 6 peer reviewed sources 6 pages max not including title page and references 1 report per team Due Date: 4/7/21 Topic: Texting while driving. Health Behavior Theory: To Research → Planned behavior theory for distracted driving Distracted driving leads to an increased chance of sustaining injuries and even death Forexample : Theory: Theory of Planned behavior People who text and drive, perform the action because their own personal perception of their control and capabilities, assure them that they are capable of performing the action successfully and not crashing their car.

Introduction (Not Complete) · Need to talk about the prevalence/impact on public health, Need to bring up the planned behavior theory, Need to make a point that state and federal laws condemn) While the number of motor vehicle crashes has declined over the years, crashes resulting from distracted driving are increasing in the United States resulting in significant morbidity and mortality (Overton et al., 2014). Distracted driving can be described as any action that diverts the attention of the driver, to anything else other than driving the vehicle. According to the CDC, there are three different types of distractions; visual, manual and cognitive (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).

Visual distractions can be described as simply taking your eyes off the road, i.e sending a text message, changing the radio or operating a GPS. Manual distractions can be described as taking your hands off of the wheel, i.e eating or drinking, smoking and reaching for items in the car. Cognitive distractions are described as things that take your mind away from driving, i.e talking to passengers, being lost in thought and being tired. List Your Article Links Below: 1. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and texting while driving behavior in college students 2.

Integrating the theory of planned behavior and behavioral attitudes to explore texting among young drivers in the US 3. Texting while driving: Psychosocial influences on young people's texting intentions and behaviour 4. Predictors of cell phone use in distracted driving: Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior 5. 6. Distracted-driving 7.

Distracted-Driving-Summary-Sheet-508.pdf Sources Used: Overton, T. L., Rives, T. E., Hecht, C., Shafi, S., & Gandhi, R. R. (2014). Distracted driving: prevalence, problems, and prevention.

International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion , 22 (3), 187–192. KAREKLAS, I., & MUEHLING, D. (2014). Addressing the Texting and Driving Epidemic: Mortality Salience Priming Effects on Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions. The Journal of Consumer Affairs, 48 (2), . Retrieved March 4, 2021, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, December 4).

Distracted Driving . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Paper for above instructions

Introduction

Texting while driving has emerged as a pressing public health concern, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality rates in the United States. Although the overall number of motor vehicle crashes has shown a decline in recent years, instances of accidents linked to distracted driving continue to rise (Overton et al., 2014). Distracted driving involves a range of activities that divert a driver’s attention from operating a vehicle, with texting being one of the most hazardous forms of distraction (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). The purpose of this report is to analyze the adverse health behavior of texting while driving through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Moreover, this report will shed light on the sociocultural dynamics that contribute to this behavior and discuss the implications of federal and state laws aimed at reducing texting while driving.

The Impact of Texting While Driving

Research shows that texting while driving increases the likelihood of vehicular accidents by a staggering percentage. A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that approximately 391,000 injuries and 3,450 fatalities occur each year due to distracted driving, with texting being a primary contributor (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], 2017). The ramifications of this behavior extend beyond personal harm, affecting families, communities, and public health systems as a whole.

Theory of Planned Behavior

The Theory of Planned Behavior, formulated by Ajzen (1991), posits that an individual’s intention to engage in a specific behavior is influenced by three primary factors: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. These dimensions can help explain why individuals choose to text while driving, despite being aware of the associated risks.
1. Attitudes: The beliefs individuals hold about texting while driving play a significant role in shaping their behavior. For some, texting while driving is viewed as a normal and socially accepted practice, particularly among younger demographics who often underestimate the risks involved (Kareklas & Muehling, 2014). Social media and peer influence exacerbate this behavior, as young drivers often prioritize connectivity over safety.
2. Subjective Norms: The influence of peers, family, and societal norms is critical in behavior formation. Young adults may feel pressured to respond to messages promptly, believing that their friends expect immediate replies, a notion that can cloud their judgment about the dangers of distracted driving. As Adams et al. (2015) note, an individual is likely to engage in texting while driving if they observe friends and influential figures doing the same.
3. Perceived Behavioral Control: Individuals often harbor a false sense of confidence in their driving skills, believing they can text without compromising their ability to control the vehicle effectively (Stephen & Murnaghan, 2017). This perceived control may diminish when a person encounters an unexpected road hazard, resulting in life-threatening situations.

Synthesis of Major Theoretical Constructs

The interplay of these constructs reveals that simply raising awareness about the dangers of texting while driving may not be sufficient to alter behavior. To effectively reduce texting while driving, interventions must address each of the TPB components. Education campaigns that not only inform about the dangers but also challenge existing attitudes may cultivate more positive beliefs about safe driving practices. Increasing community awareness about the negative consequences may influence subjective norms, shifting the social acceptance of this behavior into a narrative condemning it.

Legal Implications

Both federal and state laws have been devised to combat the texting while driving epidemic. Approximately 48 states have enacted laws banning texting while driving (NHTSA, 2019). However, legislation alone cannot effectuate change. There must be a concerted effort to raise public awareness of these laws and the implications of violating them. Research suggests that public policy must be supplemented with social marketing and community-based interventions (McCartt et al., 2015).

Addressing the Behavior

To combat the issue of texting while driving effectively, multifaceted strategies grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior should be employed. Programs could include educational workshops directed at young adults and high school students with a focus on attitudinal shifts. Comprehensive driver education courses that emphasize the dangers of distracted driving should be mandated. In addition, the development of apps that lock a driver’s phone while the vehicle is in motion could mitigate the risk of texting behaviors.
State governments should invest in campaigns that specifically challenge subjective norms while leveraging respected figures within communities to serve as advocates against texting while driving. Furthermore, by partnering with social media platforms, public health officials can disseminate targeted messages that resonate with younger drivers, encouraging them to prioritize safety over the need for immediate responses.

Conclusion

Texting while driving remains an urgent public health threat, driven by complex interactions between individual attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, as articulated by the Theory of Planned Behavior. A comprehensive understanding of the motivations behind this adverse health behavior will better position policymakers, educators, and community leaders to devise effective interventions that aim to ultimately curb this dangerous practice. By synchronizing educational efforts with legal measures, society can work toward a future where safe driving becomes the norm rather than the exception.

References

1. Adams, S., Kearns, R., & Tavares, L. (2015). Young drivers’ safety: An Australian perspective on texting and driving. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 39(1), 68-73.
2. Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211.
3. Kareklas, I., & Muehling, D. (2014). Addressing the Texting and Driving Epidemic: Mortality Salience Priming Effects on Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions. The Journal of Consumer Affairs, 48(2), 233-254.
4. McCartt, A. T., Geary, L., & Lyman, S. (2015). Texting and driving: Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors among young adults. Traffic Injury Prevention, 16(5), 474-479.
5. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2017). Distracted Driving 2015. Retrieved from https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812450
6. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2019). State distracted driving legislation. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
7. Overton, T. L., Rives, T. E., Hecht, C., Shafi, S., & Gandhi, R. R. (2014). Distracted driving: prevalence, problems, and prevention. International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 22(3), 187–192.
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Distracted Driving. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/index.html
9. Stephen, J., & Murnaghan, D. (2017). Perceived Behavioral Control and Driving Behavior: Texting while Driving. Journal of Safety Research, 62, 215-221.
10. Young, K. L., & Regan, M. A. (2021). Driver distraction: A review of the literature on the psychological aspects of driving behavior and the effect of texting on driving performance. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 147, 105839.