Abstract: Under the development of social cognition models of health behavior, the Heath Action Process Approach (HAPA) was derived by applying Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory to health behavior. In HAPA, health behavior change is viewed as a continuous process including behavior initiation, maintenance and recovery. Intention formation and its transformation into action are explained by outcome expectancy, risk perception, three forms of self-efficacy, and two types of planning. The two phases in HAPA can be used to categorize individuals into three treatment groups, and menu-based interventions are suggested. HAPA has clear theoretical advantages and has sparked a great deal of discussion about the essence of health-behavior-related models. Future studies should investigate more variables of self-regulation, test causal effect models and conduct applied research and intervention in all areas of health behavior.

Key words: health psychology, social cognition modal of health behavior, health action process approach, self-efficacy, planning