The health behavior models play an essential role in predicting and identifying the current underlying issues in a particular group of people. African American women are becoming more vulnerable to HIV infections, which is the main reason to address the problems of the escalated rate of the diseases in the given social category. In addition, all three models of health behavior, which are the health belief model (HBM), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and the transtheoretical model (TTM), are plausible to apply among African American women. However, the most appropriate option would be TPB because it includes subjective norms and predispositions of people
The health belief model is the most simplistic theory, which assumes that people’s perception of risks and benefits of a certain set of health behavior can increase the likelihood of engaging in health-promoting activities. The transtheoretical or the stages of change model views the healthy behavior patterns as a cyclic one, where an individual contemplates and becomes more determined to take actions. These steps are followed by certain activities to promote health, which leads to relapse and maintenance of the given pattern (Glanz, Rimer, & Viswanath, 2015). It is important to understand that a person can re-enter or exit the cycle at any stage, but initial entering occurs only during pre-contemplation and contemplation steps.
The theory of planned behavior has the components, such as attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, which are highly interconnected with each other, and fuel a person’s overall intention. The latter process is followed up by an actual expression of the given behavior, which directly influences an individual’s perceived behavioral control (Glanz et al., 2015). Therefore, TPB is an outstanding model to use, because it includes both the cyclic nature of TTM and the simplistic form of HBM. It also takes into account the fact that subjective cultural norm plays an essential role in determining and influencing an African American woman’s behavior towards HIV risky activities.
The theory of planned behavior may relate to the inevitable response of people, which cannot be explained by the method of reasoned action, such as unprotected sex among African American people. The behavioral intention of a person cannot be the sole determinant of behavior, where the control of a person over behavior is incomplete (Glanz et al., 2015). By adding felt behavioral control, the theory of planned behavior can explain the relationship between behavioral intention and actual practice.
Several studies have found that TPB is better at predicting health-related behavioral intent than a theory of reasoned action among African American communities (Ferencz-Kaddari, Shifman, & Koslowsky, 2016). TPB has improved the predictability of plans in various health-related areas, such as condom use, leisure, exercise, and diet (Sussman & Gifford, 2019). In addition, the theory of planned behavior, as well as the theory of reasoned action, can explain a person’s social behavior, considering the social norm as an important variable.
In conclusion, it is important to note that all models of health behavior can predict and identify the factor influencing health-promoting or health-diminishing sets of behavioral patterns. However, in the case of high rates of HIV in African American women, the most appropriate model is the theory of planned behavior. The main reason is that it includes the key components, such as socio-cultural norms, attitudes, and perceived tendencies, as the primary triggers of an individual’s overall intention. In addition, TPB is both an acyclic and simplistic model, which makes it more practical to use in comparison with HBM and TTM.
References
Ferencz-Kaddari, M., Shifman, A., & Koslowsky, M. (2016). Modeling psychologists’ ethical intention: Application of an expanded theory of planned behavior. Psychological Reports, 118(3), 691-709.
Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (2015). Health behavior: Theory, research, and practice. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Sussman, R., & Gifford, R. (2019). Causality in the theory of planned behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 45(6), 920-933.