ABSTRACT
Health-related behaviours are important for health promotion and public health because they are associated with major non-communicable diseases. Health psychology is concerned with identifying, targeting and changing people's health-related behaviours. This chapter describes, applies and critiques six theories and models of behaviour change. These include the health belief model, the theory of reasoned action, the theory of planned behaviour, the transtheoretical model, the common-sense model and nudge theory. It includes examples related to the prevention and early detection of breast cancer, colorectal cancer screening, rough sleepers with dependence on alcohol and/or drugs, type 2 diabetes and hospital food and sugary drinks. The chapter discusses how each theory or model has limitations.
