Abstract
The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) served as the conceptual framework for this study, which was designed to examine the effect of attitudes and subjective norms on intention to provide oral care for patients receiving chemotherapy. The sample, stratified by type of health care facility, consisted of staff nurses (N = 85) who work in oncology settings in New York State. Data were collected by sending 10 questionnaires to a designee at the randomly chosen facility. Both attitudes and subjective norms were significant predictors of behavioral intention, predicting 39% of the variance. Using the strategy devised by Laschinger and Goldenberg, the sample was divided into two groups: those that scored below the mean on behavioral intention (nonintenders) and those above the mean (intenders). Nonintenders scored significantly lower on attitudes and subjective norms than intenders. The TRA was not supported when examining the data of the nonintenders, whereas for the intenders the theory did operate as designed, predicting 23% of the variance in behavioral intention.