Predicting adherence to eye patching in children with amblyopia: An application of protection motivation theory

Objectives: This study reports an application of protection motivation theory (PMT) to the prediction of parental adherence to eye patching recommendations for children with amblyopia over a 2‐month period. The study also considered the role of past behaviour in PMT. Design and methods: A total of 151 parents of children with amblyopia who were attending follow‐up appointments for orthoptic treatment participated. They completed questionnaires based on PMT to assess their beliefs about amblyopia and eye patching. Of the parents, 105 were contacted again at 2‐month follow‐up to obtain a measure of adherence to the recommended treatment for their child. Results: PMT was found to be predictive of adherence intentions and behaviour at 2‐month follow‐up. Regression analyses revealed perceived vulnerability, response efficacy and self‐efficacy to be significant predictors of protection motivation, whereas perceived vulnerability and response costs were significant predictors of adherence behaviour. Past adherence behaviour was found to have a direct effect on future adherence behaviour over and above the influence of PMT. Conclusions: The results are discussed in relation to the sufficiency of PMTas a model of adherence behaviour. The practical implications for attempts to increase adherence to eye patching among children with amblyopia are outlined.