Research article
The Impact of Changing Attitudes, Norms, and Self-Efficacy on Health-Related Intentions and Behavior: A Meta-Analysis
Paschal Sheeran; Alexander Maki; Erika Montanaro; Aya Avishai-Yitshak; Angela Bryan; William M. P. Klein; Eleanor Miles; Alexander J. Rothman
Health Psychology • 2016 • DOI
Abstract
Objective: Several health behavior theories converge on the hypothesis that attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy are important determinants of intentions and behavior. However, inferences regarding the relation between these cognitions and intention or behavior rest largely on correlational data that preclude causal inferences. To determine whether changing attitudes, norms, or self-efficacy leads to changes in intentions and behavior, investigators need to randomly assign participants to a treatment that significantly increases the respective cognition relative to a control condition, and test for differences in subsequent intentions or behavior. The present review analyzed findings from 204 experimental tests that met these criteria.
Keywords
health behavior · interventions · attitude · norm · self-efficacy
Available formats
research_article
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Extracted by meta-factory
Models (2)
Health Behavior Theories (HBTs)
evidence: HighHealth Psychology • Health Behavior Change
Primary factors
AttitudesSocial NormsSelf-EfficacyIntentionField domains
Health PsychologyHealth Behavior Theories (HBTs)
evidence: HighHealth Behavior • Health-Related Intentions and Behavior
Primary factors
AttitudesNormsSelf-EfficacyIntentionField domains
Health Psychology
Constructs (8)
Attitudes
ATT_001Beliefs concerning the appeal and consequences of behavior, representing people's evaluation of the consequences of performing health behavior.
Domains
Health BehaviorDecision-Making & JudgmentLinked models
Health Behavior TheoriesAttitudes are a major determinant of health-related intentions and behavior.
Social Norms
NOR_002Perceptions of social pressure from other people and beliefs about how other people act.
Domains
Health BehaviorCulture & ClimateLinked models
Health Behavior TheoriesSocial norms are a major determinant of health-related intentions and behavior.
Self-Efficacy
SEF_003One's ability to execute the relevant responses, referring to how confident people are that they can perform a focal behavior.
Domains
Health BehaviorMotivationLinked models
Health Behavior TheoriesSelf-efficacy is a major determinant of health-related intentions and behavior.
Intention
INT_004People’s decisions or self-instructions to act, considered as a mediator of the influence of attitudes, social norms, and self-efficacy on health behavior.
Domains
Health BehaviorDecision-Making & JudgmentLinked models
Health Behavior TheoriesIntention has a causal impact on behavior and is considered alongside behavior as an outcome variable.
Attitudes
ATT_001Beliefs concerning the appeal and consequences of behavior, representing people's evaluation of the consequences of performing health behavior.
Domains
Health BehaviorDecision-Making & JudgmentLinked models
Health Behavior TheoriesAttitudes are a major determinant of health-related intentions and behavior.
Social Norms
NOR_002Perceptions of social pressure from other people and beliefs about how other people act.
Domains
Health BehaviorCulture & ClimateLinked models
Health Behavior TheoriesSocial norms are a major determinant of health-related intentions and behavior.
Self-Efficacy
SEF_003One's ability to execute the relevant responses, referring to how confident people are that they can perform a focal behavior.
Domains
Health BehaviorMotivationLinked models
Health Behavior TheoriesSelf-efficacy is a major determinant of health-related intentions and behavior.
Intention
INT_004People’s decisions or self-instructions to act, considered as a mediator of the influence of attitudes, social norms, and self-efficacy on health behavior.
Domains
Health BehaviorDecision-Making & JudgmentLinked models
Health Behavior TheoriesIntention is considered alongside behavior as an outcome variable.