Changes in cognition and behaviour: a causal analysis of single-occupancy car use in a rural community

Research into the theory of planned behaviour has been characterised by cross-sectional and short-term prospective studies in student samples. The principal aim of this study was to conduct a longitudinal causal analysis of the theory of planned behaviour in a representative rural population. Eight hundred and ninety questionnaires designed to measure the key components of the theory of planned behaviour were collected at baseline; an identical questionnaire was completed by 423 people at follow-up, 1 year later. A combination of cross-lagged analyses and bootstrapping demonstrated that changes in attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control were causally related to future intentions, and that perceived behavioural control was causally related to subsequent behaviour. This research therefore provides support for the major tenets of the theory of planned behaviour, although it is notable that intentions were not causally related to behaviour. Further research is required to develop interventions to change perceived behavioural control in relation to pro-environmental behaviour.