Behavioral models for enhancing health-related habits in patients and society

Abstract

Introduction: Every practicing therapist encounters varius types of barriers when attempting to influence and change the health habits of their patients. In this theoretical review we examine several theoretical models that can serve health professionals in helping patients to develop new healthy behaviors and habits. Materials and Methods: A reseach and review of theoretical and empirical literature on health behavior and interventions was performed. Three fundamental models were identified, compared, described and evaluated in the present text. Theories and Models of Changing Health Behavior: As a general trend there is an increased recognition of the value of the evidence base of health-related interventions. An important task and challenge is to understand health behavior and turn theory into effective strategies for health improvement. Ecological models posit that factors at multiple levels – intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, political – influence health behavior with varying impact. Social cognitive models focus on the interactions among behavior, personal cognitive factors, and social-ecological forces in a reciprocal system. The Transtheoretical model examines the individual decisions of an individual with regard to their health as a process of a conscious change in thinking and actions. Conclusion: The reviewed models can complement each other and in the right combinations may help the attainment of impactful changes in health-related behaviors and quality of life.