Behavior Change Models and Theories for Health Interventions

Health Behavior Change Model/Theory Table Assignment
Directions: Develop a table with the different behavior change models/theories using the resources (I-Learn) within the course as well as your
text book (McKenzie, Neiger, & Thackeray, 2013-Chapters 7-9, & 11). The table will help you to organize the models, see what types of
interventions/programs they work best with and understand them better for when you develop your program interventions. Develop this table
to understand the models/theories and how to use them. Avoid just cutting and pasting the information to get the assignment done.
The table should include the following:
1. Description of the Model/Theory—
a. Brief description of the model and its purpose.
2. Constructs—
a. Each model/theory has constructs or parts (e.g. Health Belief Model—Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, etc.). List each
part and explain what they are.
b. Constructs from the different models can drive your interventions (e.g. Perceived Susceptibility & Severity— show College
Students how they are susceptible to missing out on school and falling behind if they are out sick with the flu/”Get your Flu Shot,
a communication strategy intervention we learn about in Lesson 9).
3. Best Used With—
a. List the types of health issues the specific model/theory would best be used with (e.g. smoking, exercise, not wearing a safety
belt, etc – see SR Theory below).
Model/Theory Description Constructs Best Used With
Intrapersonal Level
-Stimulus Response (SR) Theory
(see Chapter 7)
It explains and modifies behavior
(based on the associations of among
stimulus, response and
reinforcement).
Operant behavior
Environmental Consequences:
 Reinforcement
o Positive
o negative
 Punishment
o Positive
o negative
Trying to change a
complex health
behavior like
smoking or exercise
(pg. 159) or health-
harming behaviors
(e.g. not wearing a
safety belt, page
159), or disruptive
children in a
classroom (pg. 160).
-Theory of Reasoned Action
(TRA)/Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
TBP is the theory which interlinks
the person’s belief with his
1. attitude
considerable outcome of
It is used to explain
a wide range of

(see Chapter 7)
behavior. as per this theory attitude
towards someone’s behavior,
different subjective norms and
perceived behavioral norms are
effective in shaping the mind of
people their behavior and intentions
performing the behavior
2. behavioral intention
these are the motivational
factor that let the person
perform the cation
3. subjective norms
it provides an idea to the
people that he or she should
perform the behavior
4. social norm
these are standards for a larger
cultural context
5. perceived power
it contributes to a persons
perceived behavior
6. perceived behavioral control
it is the persons perception
about the ease or difficulty of
the situation (Zimmerman,
2013)
health behaviors
and intentions such
as smoking, health
service utilization,
substance abuse,
drinking and others
-Health Belief Model (HBM)
(see Chapter 7, PowerPoint & Theories
at a Glance)
This model helps to explain as well
as tries to predict the human
behavior by their attitudes and
beliefs.
1. perceived susceptibility
2. perceived severity
3. perceived benefits
4. perceived barriers
This is used to
derive different long
and short term
health behaviors
and different
changing habitual
behaviors such as
sedentary lifestyle,
overeating, smoking
and others (Golden
& Earp, 2012).
-Protection Motivation Theory (PMT)
(see Chapter 7 & chapter 7 PowerPoint)
This theory was developed to
provide a clear and concise idea
about fear appeals further which
was upgraded to persuasive
Threat appraisal
Assess maladaptive behaviors:
1. perceived severity
2. perceived probability
This theory was
applied to
determine the use
of alcohol,

communication, which completely
focuses on cognitive processes.
Coping Appraisal
Assess adaptive behaviors:
1. the efficacy
2. the perceived self-efficacy
Protective motivation
enhancement of
healthy lifestyle,
diagnosis of healthy
behavior and others
(Sallis, Owen &
Fisher, 2015)
-Elaboration Likelihood Model of
Persuasion (ELM)
(see Chapter 7 & Chapter 7 PowerPoint)
This occurs when the persuader
presents the information to the
audience and in the course
elaborates results.
1. central route processing
2. peripheral route processing It helps to
understand people
and their ability to
achieve their desires
(Golden & Earp,
2012).
-Information-Motivation-Behavioral
(IMB) Skills Model
(see Chapter 7)
This theory based model is the
primary way to prevent STIs and HIV
prevention interventions and it is
the model which is based on the
critique of the previous model.
1. information
2. motivation
3. behavioral skills
This model is
specifically used to
understand the
sexual risk related
behavior, however it
has not been used
with diseases such
as sexually
transmitting
diseases (Brasseur
et al., 2013),
-Transtheoretical Model (TTM)
(see Chapter 7 & PowerPoint)
This model uses different stages of
change using which most powerful
processes and theories of change is
applied and counselling is carried
out.
1. decision balance
2. self-efficacy
3. tailoring matters
Helps to identify
people with drinking
abuse, drug abuse
and helps the
person to acquire
healthy food and
diet (Dinh et al.,
2014).
-Precaution Adoption Process Model
(PAPM)
This provides a clear and concise
idea about a population and its
Stage 1 – unaware of issue
Stage 2 – unengaged by issue
This is used to
understand the