Theory Of Planned Behaviour

“A major proportion of deaths could be prevented if people were to change their health-behaviours”
Human behaviour plays a central role in the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease. Health-risk behaviour can be defined as any activity undertaken by people with a frequency or intensity that increases risk of disease or injury (Steptoe & Wardle, 2004). The health risk behaviours might cluster together into a risky lifestyle. Much of the mortality and morbidity is caused by individual behavioural patterns, polluted environment or poverty. Statistics show that half of the premature death from the 10 leading causes in developed countries is caused by preventable factors, such as: tobacco use, alcohol abuse, physical inactivity,
(e.g., evidence-based
The basic assumption of TPB is the fact that beliefs are the fundamental determinants of any behaviour and therefore, risk behaviour can be changed by modifying the underlying beliefs. According to the TPB, attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioural control influence intention that represents the proximal determinant of behaviour. Perceived behavioural control is the individual’s perception regarding the extent to which performing a certain behaviour is easy or difficult. The concept is similar to the one of self-efficacy (Bandura, 1986). The relationship between perceived behavioural control and behaviour suggests that we are more likely to engage in behaviours over which we have control. Perceived behavioural control is influenced by both internal factors (i.e., skills, information, abilities, emotions, personal deficiencies) and external factors (i.e., opportunities, dependence on others, barriers). Thus, perceived behavioural control is determined by perceived presence or absence of resources and opportunities and the perceived ability of these to induce or hinder