THE DYNAMICS AND PROCESSES OF BEHAVIORAL-CHANGE IN 5 CLASSES OF HEALTH-RELATED BEHAVIOR FINDINGS FROM QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

The processes and dynamics of change in five health-related behaviours: diet, weight control, smoking, drinking and exercise are described using data from semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Interviewees had already been identified through a postal survey as having made one or more change in the previous year. Concerns about health and disease were among the most commonly reported factors acting as primers or triggers to behavioural change. However, after its initiation, the process of change was highly influenced by non-health-related factors, and the types of inhibiting and facilitating factors which most affected them varied between behaviours. Although some factors were personal or internal many were socio-structural or environmental and were often out of the individual's immediate control. Multiple changes in behaviour were not common and only certain combinations were reported. The implications of the study findings for health promotion activities are discussed. © 1991 Oxford University Press.