Health Action Process Approach

The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) is a psychological model that explains how people adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. It suggests that change happens in two main phases: the motivation phase, where people form the intention to change, and the volition phase, where they plan, initiate, and sustain the new behavior. Factors like self-confidence, social support, and planning influence each phase. HAPA helps understand why some people succeed in improving their health while others struggle, by highlighting the importance of both the mental decision-making and the ongoing effort involved in behavior change.