Discontinuity patterns in stages of the precaution adoption process model: Meat consumption during a livestock epidemic

OBJECTIVES: Patterns of changes in social-cognitive variables were investigated in order to test selected stages of the precaution adoption process model (PAPM). It was hypothesized that non-linear trends (discontinuity patterns) in perceived vulnerability, positive and negative outcome expectancies, procrastination, and self-efficacy might be observed across the stages. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data from 808 respondents were employed. METHOD: Questionnaire data were collected in an on-line study on meat consumption during a livestock epidemic in Germany. Polynomial trends and analyses of variance with post-hoc-contrasts were used to examine the patterns of change. RESULTS: Discontinuity patterns were found for perceived vulnerability, negative outcome expectancies, and procrastination. The data provided partial support for discontinuity patterns in self-efficacy. Continuity patterns were found for positive outcome expectancies. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide support for a stage model rather than a pseudo-stage model.