What does the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) suggest about health behavior?

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) posits that an individual's intention to engage in a specific health behavior is the primary predictor of whether they will actually perform that behavior. This framework emphasizes the role of intention, suggesting that if people have a strong intention to engage in a behavior, they are more likely to follow through with it.

Intention is shaped by three core components: attitudes toward the behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Attitudes reflect the person's positive or negative evaluation of the behavior, subjective norms capture the perceived social pressures to perform or not perform the behavior, and perceived behavioral control relates to an individual's belief in their ability to execute the behavior. This highlights that intention is a central focus of the theory, as it serves as a precursor to actual behavior.

In contrast, focusing solely on environmental factors, historical behavior patterns, or peer pressure overlooks the complex interplay of these attitudes and beliefs that influence health-related actions. While these factors may indeed have an impact on health behaviors, the TPB asserts that intention is the most significant determinant in predicting whether an individual will engage in a specific health behavior.