Integrating social-psychological frameworks for health behavior research

Objective: To review the social-cognitive theories that have predominated in research on determinants of health behaviors. Methods: Based on a literature search, the theories were compared and critically analyzed. Results: Although the theories are somewhat successful in predicting health behaviors, the social-cognitive perspective is restricted to a unidirectional, nondynamic view of behavioral change and neglects the fact that individuals may differ with respect to the life goals they pursue. Conclusion: Health behavior research should adopt a more integrative approach, including insights from stage and goal theories. The health behavior goal model is described as an example of such an approach.