PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Beth S Bruce AU - Anne W Snowdon AU - Charles Cunningham AU - Carolyn L Cramm AU - Krista Whittle AU - Heather Correale AU - Melanie Barwick AU - Caroline Piotrowski AU - Lynne Warda AU - Jessie Harrold TI - Predicting parents' use of booster seats AID - 10.1136/ip.2010.029181 DP - 2011 Oct 01 TA - Injury Prevention PG - 313--318 VI - 17 IP - 5 4099 - http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/17/5/313.short 4100 - http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/17/5/313.full SO - Inj Prev2011 Oct 01; 17 AB - Objective To examine the simultaneous contribution of multiple factors associated with parents' use of booster seats.Methods Using the theory of planned behaviour framework, constructs of the theory were tested for usefulness in predicting self-reported intent and behaviour with respect to parents' use of booster seats. Through the use of structural equation modelling, the study demonstrated the most significant predictors of the intent to use a booster seat and reported use of booster seats in a Canadian sample (n=1480) of parents of school-aged children, 4–9 years.Results The strongest predictors of intent to use booster seats were attitudes (benefits of booster seat use) and second, subjective norms (perceived booster seat use in the community). Parent barriers were inversely associated with intent and use of booster seats and child barriers with use. Intent and norms had the greatest effect on use, both positive and equally influential. The final model explains 30% of the variance in booster seat use.Conclusion Messages that address the benefit to the child in preventing injury could be beneficial if spread more diversely, establishing a social norm. Legislation, enforcement and local policy could positively influence the perceived culture that supports and expects booster seat use for school-aged children.