Schulz, Paula (2006) Considering reproductive intention from the Theory of Planned Behaviour: The role of anticipated regret. Doctorate (other than PhD) thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
This thesis explores the utility of the Theory of Planned Behaviour in predicting reproductive intention and whether the addition of the variable anticipated regret to the Theory of Planned Behaviour adds to the prediction of intention. Further it aims to elicit women’s thoughts on having a baby later in life. It was hypothesised that participant’s intention to have a child would be correlated with the variables of the Theory of Planned Behaviour as well as the additional variable of anticipated regret; that participant’s intention to have a child would be predicted by a Theory of Planned Behaviour model that included anticipated regret and controlled for number of children. One hundred and fourteen women ranging in age from twenty-seven to forty-nine years of age were surveyed using a survey instrument designed following Ajzen’s (2002) guidelines to be a direct measure of the components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Three items were also included to measure anticipated regret. Responses for all items were given on a seven point semantic differential scale. Further, women’s thoughts on having a baby later in life were explored with two open ended questions; “What does having a baby later in life mean to you?” and “When I think of having a baby later in life, I…”. Quantitative data was analysed using hierarchical regression analysis. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis methodology. The findings showed that the Theory of Planned Behaviour did predict intention to have a baby and that the addition of anticipated regret to the model further enhanced the prediction of intention. Content analysis of the first open ended question revealed seven categories of response with the largest two being “Disruption” and “Readiness”. Analysis of the second open question revealed two primary categories, one for positive responses and one for negative responses. The strong emotive content of many of the responses was noted. Congruency between the quantitative and qualitative components was noted with many responses resembling control factors of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Anticipated regret for either having or not having a child was also noted in the open responses. The limitations of the present research and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
|
Statistics for this ePrint Item |
| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Doctorate (other than PhD)) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Grace Pretty |
| Qualification: | Doctor of Psychology |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Nov 2025 00:00 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Nov 2025 00:00 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52739 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Archive Repository Staff Only |
