Examination of Factor Structure of the Developed Theory of Planned Behavior with the Action and Coping Planning Scale of Physical Activity in the Wives of the Military Personnel

Despite the high prevalence of women’s physical inactivity and also the effective role of the extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and planning to promote this behavior, there is still no standard scale in Iran. The aim of the present study was to examine the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the developed TPB questionnaire with action and coping planning in exercise behavior of the military personnel’s wives.

This cross-sectional study was performed in 150 military staffs’ spouses residing in organizational houses, in Tehran, Iran (2013). The participants were randomly selected with multi-stage cluster sampling. The CFA was conducted using the maximum likelihood estimation. Goodness of fit of the original TPB was compared to the developed version. Data were analyzed applying SPSS 16 and LISREL 8.8.

The CFA findings supported the exploratory eight factor structure (which consisted of instrumental and affective attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, action and coping planning and behavior). Factor loadings, T-values and fit indices showed that the extended theory fitted the data.

This research verified the factor structure of the expanded TPB scale as to the physical activity of military personnel’s wives. Providing and applying valid and reliable questionnaires are necessary to assess the exercise behavior and to design educational interventions.