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.