Theoretical issues concerning the relationship between perceived control and preventive health behaviour

The relationship between perceptions of control and preventivehealth behaviour (PHB) has a longstanding tradition in healtheducation theory. However, few studies have found a strong empiricalrelationship between perceived control and PHB. Possible reasonsfor this are: (1) the use of generalized as opposed to specificmeasures of control and (2) the existence of other importantfactors which influence PHB. Furthermore, most of the modelswhich attempt to predict PHB fail to adequately account forthe social structural factors affecting health behaviours. Thispaper examines these issues and argues for more condition-specificmeasures of control and the need to identify other importantinfluences on health behaviour. The example of exercise levelsamong blue collar workers demonstrates how objective conditionscan affect both perception of control and PHB.