Concerned with the development of a theory and a science of health behavior change. There are three phases that lead to a health action: (a) individual perception, (b) modifying factors, and (c) the likelihood of action. Individual apperception: an element or phase of the which includes the person’s subjective risk of contracting a disease. Perception includes (a) personal susceptibility to the disease and (b) the severity of the disease which are interacting and necessary for modifying behavior. Modifying factors: an element or phase of the which includes (a) demographic variables, (c) sociopsychological variables, and (d) structural variables combined with a perceived threat of the disease and reinforced by cues to act. Likelihood of action: an element or phase of the influenced by a person’s perceived benefits of preventive actions minus his or her barriers to preventive action directly influenced by certain modifying factors.
A theory used to explain health-seeking or health-avoiding behavior that is based on the assumption that attitude and belief motivate action.