Theoretical Approaches to Motivating Change: A Farm Family Case Example

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to assist health educators and students to integrate theory with practice by examining four major learning theories for their implications for motivating healthy behavior change. Using a prototypical case example based on the authors' experiences with farm families through community health screenings, the learning theories of behaviorism, constructivism, transtheoretical model of health behavior change, and social ecological theory are examined. The four theories are described and the family's attitudes and health behaviors are interpreted from each perspective. Case-specific examples of how the learning theories can be used to motivate change and promote health-seeking behavior are provided. Guidelines are offered that have heuristic and practical utility for educators and students in applying learning theory to health promotion interventions.

Partial support of this work was provided by the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education under CDC/NIOSH Cooperative Agreement 1 U50 OH07541-01.