The purposes of this theoretically-based study were (a) to examine the cont
ributions of psychosocial variables (i.e., affect, beliefs, and norms), hab
it, and facilitating conditions to explaining women's intentions and use of
hormones with menopause and (b) to assess whether clinical or demographic
factors explained intentions and use, when controlling for psychosocial, ha
bit, and facilitating conditions variables. In a cross-sectional design, 18
4 pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women completed questionnaire measures. T
o explain intentions, data from 124 participants who were not using hormone
s were analyzed. To explain use, data from 125 peri- and postmenopausal par
ticipants were analyzed. In multivariate analyses, anxiety was associated i
nversely with use; norms were associated positively with intentions and use
. Age was associated inversely with intentions; hot flashes were associated
inversely with use. Future researchers can examine the combined influences
of affect, beliefs, and norms on decisions about hormones. Clinicians can
address anxieties and assess social influences about hormone use, as well a
s offer ways to deal with hot flashes. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.