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Table 1 Constructs and sample items

From: Brushing behavior among young adolescents: does perceived severity matter

Constructs (number of items)

Sample item

Possible score range

Cronbach’s alpha coefficient*

Perceived susceptibility (3)

Only when I am young my teeth would be healthy.

3-15

0.77

Perceived subjective severity (3)

Tooth decay will cause me bad breath smell.

3-15

0.76

Perceived objective severity (4)

Tooth decay will make me look bad when I am laughing.

4-20

0.81

Perceived benefits (3)

Brushing my teeth can prevent tooth decay.

3-15

0.71

Perceived psychological barriers (5)

When I am tired I do not brush my teeth.

5-25

0.85

Perceived physical barriers (2)

My gums will bleed when I brush my teeth.

2-10

0.76

Self-efficacy (5)

I am confident that I can brush my teeth even when I am tired.

5-25

0.86

  1. *Values equal or grate than 0.7 are considered satisfactory.