To be a donor or not to be? Applying an extended theory of planned behavior to predict posthumous organ donation intentions

Using a theory of planned behavior (TPB) perspective, individual intentions to register and discuss the organ donation decision with significant others were examined. In addition to standard TPB variables (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control [PBC]), self-identity and moral norm were incorporated into the TPB as predictors. Australian university students (N = 303) completed a survey comprising standard and additional TPB constructs. Separate analyses were conducted for both registered and non-registered participants. In general, results provide support for the extended TPB model in predicting intentions to register and discuss the donation decision with the exceptions that self-identity did not predict discussion intentions for either registered or non-registered participants and PBC did not predict discussion intentions for non-registered participants.

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