Theory of Planned Behaviour and Parasuicide: An Exploratory Study

Citation

O'Connor R & Armitage CJ (2003) Theory of Planned Behaviour and Parasuicide: An Exploratory Study. Current Psychology, 22 (3), pp. 196-205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-003-1016-4

Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that parasuicide (deliberate self-harm) should be considered in terms of ‘normal’ rather than ‘abnormal’ behaviour. This study aimed to address this assertion by applying a social cognition model, for the first time, to parasuicidal behaviour. An extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model was tested on 55 individuals drawn from hospital and non-hospital populations. Thirty-eight percent of the sample (n=21) reported a history of deliberate self-harm. Findings supported the utility of the TPB: attitudes, subjective norm, self-efficacy, moral norm and anticipated affect discriminated significantly between those with and without a history of parasuicide. The extended TPB explained more than 50% of the variance associated with intentions to deliberately self-harm. These findings have considerable theoretical and practical implications for intervention. Future research should investigate the utility of the TPB employed within a prospective framework.

Keywords
theory of planned behaviour; suicidal; self-harm; attitudes; Suicide Psychological aspects; Self-destructive behavior; Suicide Psychology; Parasuicide Psychological aspects

Journal
Current Psychology: Volume 22, Issue 3