Where are all the men? Exploring the lack of make participation in childbearing research using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

The current study examined whether the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) could account for the disproportionately low participation rates of men in childbearing and fertility research and whether the addition of distal factors could help identify the men missing from this specific field of health research. The study was of longitudinal design, comprising two online surveys measuring the TPB constructs (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control), distal factors (e.g., desire for a child) intentions to participate in childbearing research (time 1) and childbearing research behaviour (time 2). More women (n=623) than men (n=176) participated. Structural models revealed the TPB constructs accounted for 37% and 1% of the variance in intentions and behaviour respectively. Attitudes had the strongest association with intentions (β=.53). Men had significantly less favourable attitudes (p=.000) and lower intentions than women (p=.01). TPB constructs fully and partially mediated associations between distal factors and intentions. The modification of attitudes is likely to be the mechanism that would elicit intention (and behaviour) change amongst those likely to be missing from childbearing and fertility research, namely men not yet at the stage of starting a family. Increasing male participation will help identify unmet needs in research and policy that concern men.