Health Action Process Approach (HAPA)

The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) is a psychological model that explains how people change health behaviors. It suggests that behavior change involves two main phases: a motivational phase, where individuals decide to change by forming intentions, and a volitional phase, where they plan, initiate, and maintain the new behavior. Factors like self-confidence, planning, and perceived risk influence both phases. HAPA helps understand why some people successfully adopt healthier habits, like exercising or quitting smoking, and highlights the importance of ongoing support and planning to sustain change.