RETURNING TO WORK FOLLOWING CHILDBIRTH - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTENTIONS AND BEHAVIOR

College women's intentions to return to work following childbirth were compared to behavior 10 years later. Using an Ajzen-Fishbein model, c ollege intentions were significantly related to how soon a mother retu rned to work after the birth of her first child. The amount of varianc e explained was significant for intentions and behavior. College inten tions were influenced by perceived consequences, approval of significa nt referents, and personal control. Return to work was predicted by in tention to do so, even though the behavior occurred an average of seve n years after the intention was declared. This behavior was more likel y to occur among those who had a sense of personal control.