Social cognition models and health behaviour: A structured review

A number of social cognition models have been developed to account for soci o-demographic variations in health behaviour. This paper distinguishes betw een: (a) motivational, (b) behavioural enaction, and (c) multi-stage models of health behaviour. The models are evaluated in terms of advancement of e xisting knowledge and - where appropriate - predictive utility. Common them es that appear within- and between- these categories are discussed, with co nsideration of ways in which theory may be advanced by future research. Eac h approach has associated strengths and weaknesses, suggesting that a "cons ensus" approach to the study of health behaviour may prove fruitful. Identi fication of the key constructs across different model types would allow coh erent integration and promote further understanding of the psyche-social de terminants of health behaviour.