THEORETICAL ISSUES CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED CONTROL AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH BEHAVIOR

The relationship between perceptions of control and preventive health behaviour (PHB) has a longstanding tradition in health education theory. However, few studies have found a strong empirical relationship between perceived control and PHB. Possible reasons for this are: (1) the use of generalized as opposed to specific measures of control and (2) the existence of other important factors which influence PHB. Furthermore, most of the models which attempt to predict PHB fail to adequately account for the social structural factors affecting health behaviours. This paper examines these issues and argues for more condition-specific measures of control and the need to identify other important influences on health behaviour. The example of exercise levels among blue collar workers demonstrates how objective conditions can affect both perception of control and PHB. © 1991 Oxford University Press.