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Essay on Behavior Change Theories and Strategies

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To begin with,a health practisioner may fascilate behaviour change in an individual with a health

risk behaviour through the application of different behaviour change theories and strategies.

In general,health risk behaviours are actions which may threaten an individual's health causing

negative effects(Barkway,2009).Until the mid 20th century,global health threats were primarily a

result of infectious and communicable diseases.However,recently in developed countries,health

threats are now posed by diseases in which lifestyle play a role in the causation and or

management of illness.For instance,the modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease,a

leading cause of disease burden are tobacco smoking,high blood …show more content…

(Gillam,Yates,Badrinath,2007).Likewise,for behaviour change,simply telling people what is good for them is not an effective stratergy.Four pre conditions are necessary for behaviour change to take place whicha are:one must want to change, believe one can change,believe change will have the desired effect and know how to change(Gillam,Yates,Badrinath,2007).An individuals subjective norms,attitudes,self efficacy,peer support and education too influence behaviour change(Commonwealth government of Australia,2010).
The health psycology thereby, presents physological theories and models derived from theories

to hypotheise and explain and predict behaviour and show how behaviour under observation is

enacted.These ultimately result in strategies to help people overcome resistance to change

behaviour and prevent relapse(Barkway,2009).

Out of the many theories,only some have been mentioned below which are cognitive and non

cognitive theories as well as transtheoritical theory and motivational interviewing. According to Simonich(as cited in Flipse,1997),theories concerning

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