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How to overcome health-compromising behaviors: The health action process approach
Health-compromising behaviors, such as cigarette smoking and poor dietary habits, present significant challenges for change. Traditional social-cognitive theories posit that intention is the primary predictor of behavioral change; however, individuals frequently exhibit behaviors that contradict their intentions due to unforeseen barriers or yielding to temptations. Hence, it is essential to identify proximal predictors that can enhance the translation of intentions into actions. Key self-regulatory mediators like perceived self-efficacy and strategic planning have been recognized for their role in bridging the intention-behavior gap. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) delineates two processes: (1) a preintentional motivation phase leading to behavioral intention and (2) a postintentional volition phase that supports the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors. This article presents two studies investigating mediators between intentions and specific health behaviors: smoking reduction among young adults and dietary restraint in overweight patients with chronic diseases. Utilizing a structural equation model aligned with HAPA, the findings revealed that while the model effectively explained variance in dietary behaviors among middle-aged or older individuals with health conditions, it accounted for less variance in smoking reduction among healthy young adults. These results underscore the importance of understanding psychological mechanisms in health behavior change and highlight the critical role of mediator variables. [NPID: Health Action Process Approach, HAPA, social-cognitive, behavior change, intentions]
Year: 2008
