Chapter Twelve

Perspectives on Models of Interpersonal Health Behavior

K. Viswanath

Chapter Twelve highlights the important interpersonal level theories discussed in Part Three of this book. There is no additional online content.


Key Points

This chapter

  • Indentifies defining characteristics of theories involving interpersonal interactions.
  • Highlights important features of the theories discussed in Part Three of this book: Social Cognitive Theory, social networks and social support, stress and coping, and interpersonal communications between clinicians and patients.
  • Discusses the cross-level linkages between individual-based health behavior theories and more macro-level theories.
  • Draws attention to ways in which health disparities may be affected by behaviors at the interpersonal level.