Health Psychology : a Textbook

In addition, it includes a role for past behaviour within the measure of perceived

behavioural control.

The health action process approach

The health action process approach (HAPA) (see Figure 2.7) was developed by Schwarzer

(1992) following his review of the literature, which highlighted the need to include

a temporal element into the understanding of beliefs and behaviour. In addition,

it emphasized the importance of self-efficacy as a determinant of both behavioural

intentions and self-reports of behaviour. The HAPA includes several elements from

all previous theories and attempts to predict both behavioural intentions and actual

behaviour.

Components of the HAPA

The main addition made by the HAPA to the existing theories is the distinction between a

decision-making/motivational stage and an action/maintenance stage. Therefore, the

model adds a temporal and process factor to understanding the relationship between

beliefs and behaviour and suggests individuals initially decide whether or not to carry

out a behaviour (the motivation stage), and then make plans to initiate and maintain this

behaviour (the action phase).

According to the HAPA, the motivation stage is made up of the following

components:


 self-efficacy (e.g. ‘I am confident that I can stop smoking’);

Fig. 2-7 The health action process approach

34 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY