Beyond single behaviour theory: Adding cross-behaviour cognitions to the health action process approach

ObjectivesCommonly, health behaviour theories have been applied to single behaviours, giving insights into specific behaviours but providing little knowledge on how individuals pursue an overall healthy lifestyle. In the context of diet and physical activity, we investigated the extent to which cross-behaviour cognitions, namely transfer cognitions and compensatory health beliefs, contribute to single behaviour theory. DesignA total of 767 participants from two European regions (i.e., Germany n=351, southern Europe n=416) completed online questionnaires on physical activity andhealthy dietary behaviour, behaviour-specific cognitions (i.e., self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, risk perception, intention, action planning, action control), as well as cross-behaviour cognitions, namely transfer cognitions and compensatory health beliefs. MethodsNested path models were specified to investigate the importance of cross-behaviour cognitions over and above behaviour-specific predictors of physical activity and healthy nutrition. ResultsAcross both health behaviours, transfer cognitions were positively associated with intention and self-regulatory strategies. Compensatory health beliefs were negatively associated with intention. Action planning and action control mediated the effect of intentions on behaviour. ConclusionsCross-behaviour cognitions contribute to single behaviour theory and may explain how individuals regulate more than one health behaviour.