*Can theory-driven interventions using social cognition models change health behaviour?

* How should theoretical models be adapted for intervention?

* What are the implications for policy and practice?



For many years, social cognition models have been at the forefront of research into predicting and explaining health behaviours. Until recently, there have been few attempts to go beyond prediction and understanding to intervention - but now the position has changed, and a number of excellent interventions have been set up. The purpose of this book is to bring them together in one volume.



After an introductory chapter on the models and interventions to be included, there are nine chapters that each address a particular behaviour or set of behaviours, written by the authors of the interventions themselves. Chapters 2 to 4 examine risk-related behaviours (safer-sex; smoking; exposure to radon gas); Chapters 5 to 7 turn to health-enhancing behaviours and screening (reducing fat intake; uptake of vitamin C; breast self-examination; participation in cervical and colorectal cancer screening); and Chapters 8 to 10 explore road safety (speeding by drivers; pedestrian behaviour; and cycle helmet use). The chapters follow a common structure: a presentation of the 'epidemiological facts' about the behaviour and why an intervention was needed; an outline of the way in which the theoretical model being used was adapted for the intervention; a presentation of the experimental results; and a discussion of their theoretical and practical implications. The book ends with a chapter of commentary on the challenges of devising theory-based interventions.



Following on from the highly successful Predicting Health Behaviour edited by Mark Conner and Paul Norman, this book will be recognised as a ground-breaking text in the psychology of health, for students, researchers and practitioners alike.

Derek Rutter is Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Kent at Canterbury. He previously held posts at Oxford and Warwick. His main research interests include the relationships between health beliefs and health behaviours, and the role of social psychological factors in helping to explain social inequalities in health.

Lyn Quine is Reader in Health Psychology at the University of Kent at Canterbury. She was previously Research Director for an NHS community health trust. Her main research interests include the use of social cognition models to predict and modify health adherence behaviours; and stress, social support, and coping.

Notes on Contributors

Acknowledgements

List of abbreviations

Introduction

social cognition models and changing health behaviours

Encouraging safer-sex behaviours

development of the SHARE sex education programme

Smoking and smoking cessation

modifying perceptions of risk

Reducing the risks of exposure to radon gas

an application of the Precaution Adoption Process Model

Reducing fat intake

interventions based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Increasing participation with colorectal cancer screening

the development of a psycho-educational intervention

Changing health behaviours

the role of implementation intentions

Changing drivers' attitudes to speeding

using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Improving pedestrian road safety among adolescents

an application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Increasing cycle helmet use in school-age cyclists

an intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Conclusion

using social cognition models to develop health behaviour interventions:

problems and assumptions

Index