A Theory of Planned Behavior Research Model for Predicting the Sleep Intentions and Behaviors of Undergraduate College Students

The purpose of this study was to operationalize the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict the sleep intentions and behaviors of undergraduate college students attending a Midwestern University. Data collection spanned three phases. The first phase included a semi-structured qualitative interview (n = 11), readability by Flesch-Kincaid, face and content validity by a panel of six experts. The second phase included stability reliability by test–retest (n = 37). The final phase included construct validation applying confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency by Cronbach’s alpha, and predictive validity (n = 197) employing multiple regression analysis. The majority of the participants reported receiving insufficient sleep (M = 407.3 min, SD = 100.75). Multiple regression modeled perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, and attitude toward adequate sleep behavior on behavioral intention. Collectively, the significant predictors produced an R _adjusted² value of .362. Further specification of the model identified behavioral intention as a significant predictor of sleep behavior (R _adjusted² = .185). As a population, undergraduate college students are not achieving adequate sleep. The TPB was found to be a useful framework for predicting the sleep intentions and behaviors of undergraduate students. Practical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.