Health action process approach

Health action process approach

The health action process approach (HAPA) is a psychological theory of health behavior change, developed by Ralf Schwarzer, Professor of Psychology at the Freie University Berlin of Berlin, Germany and SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wroclaw, Poland, first published in 1992.[1]

Health behavior change refers to a replacement of health-compromising behaviors (such as sedentary behavior) by health-enhancing behaviors (such as physical exercise). To describe, predict, and explain such processes, theories or models are being developed. Health behavioural change theories are designed to examine a set of psychological constructs that jointly aim at explaining what motivates people to change and how they take preventive action.[2][3]

HAPA is an open framework of various motivational and volitional constructs that are assumed to explain and predict individual changes in health behaviors such as quitting smoking or drinking, and improving physical activity levels, dental hygiene, seat belt use, breast self-examination, dietary behaviors,[4] and avoiding drunk driving.[5] HAPA suggests that the adoption, initiation, and maintenance of health behaviors should be conceived of as a structured process including a motivation phase and a volition phase. The former describes the intention formation while the latter refers to planning, and action (initiative, maintenance, recovery). The model emphasizes the particular role of perceived self-efficacy at different stages of health behavior change.[6]

  1. ^ Schwarzer, Ralf (2014-06-11). Schwarzer, Ralf (ed.). Self-Efficacy. doi:10.4324/9781315800820. ISBN 9781317763703.
  2. ^ Conner, M. & Norman, P., eds. (2005). Predicting health behavior: Research and practice with social cognition models (2nd ed.). Buckingham, England: Open University Press.
  3. ^ Sniehotta, F. F. (2009). "Towards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self-regulation". British Journal of Health Psychology. 14 (Pt. 2): 261–273. doi:10.1348/135910708X389042. PMID 19102817.
  4. ^ Biddle, S. J. H.; Fuchs, R. (2009). "Exercise psychology: A view from Europe". Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 10 (4): 410–419. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2009.02.011.
  5. ^ Wilson, Hollie; Sheehan, Mary; Palk, Gavan; Watson, Angela (2016). "Self-efficacy, planning, and drunk driving: Applying the health action process approach". Health Psychology. 35 (7): 695–703. doi:10.1037/hea0000358. PMID 27195901.
  6. ^ Sutton, S. (2005). "Stage models of health behaviour". In M. Conner; P. Norman (eds.). Predicting health behaviour: Research and practice with social cognition models (2nd ed.). Maidenhead, England: Open University Press. pp. 223–275.