Conceptual categories or operational constructs? Evaluating higher order theory of planned behavior structures in the exercise domain

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is a popular framework for understanding the informational and motivational influences of exercise behavior. One tenet of this model that has not been examined is the belief that direct measures of TPB component constructs are organized through higher order constructs. The authors' purpose of this article was to test this higher order conceptualization in comparison with a multidimensional TPB model using structural equation modeling. Participants (N = 268) completed direct measures of the TPB and a 2-week follow-up of exercise behavior. The results generally supported multidimensional TPB constructs over higher order structures. Direct measures of attitude (ie, affective and instrumental) and subjective norm (ie, injunctive and descriptive) had better psychometric properties when considered multidimensionally. Perceived behavioral control (ie, self-efficacy, controllability), however, had estimation problems for both the multidimensional and the higher order model. Aggregation of TPB components is not warranted, and the perceived behavioral control components may possess a structure more complex than simple multidimensionality or a superordinate higher order construct.