The Handbook of Health Behavior Change

ISBN: 978-0-8261-1545-4, 827 pages, Hard Cover. Edition: 3rd. Editors: Sally A. Shumaker, PhD; Judith K. Ockene PhD, MEd; Kristin A. Riekert, PhD. Specialties: Psychology, Clinical, Primary Care, Public Health. Publisher: Springer Publishing Company. List Price: 85. 00 DESCRIPTION: This handbook provides students and practitioners with a complete and up-to-date resource on contemporary topics in health behavior change. This area of inquiry has expanded rapidly, particularly in the areas of theory development, measurement, and the social context of behavior change. The third edition has been extensively revised, updated, and expanded. PURPOSE: To provide an updated and expanded view of the theoretical and empirical literature on the factors that influence the adoption of healthy behaviors and the individual, interpersonal, social, and cultural factors that can inhibit or promote behavior change. The handbook addresses the need for an authoritative, transdisciplinary approach to examining current issues in this field. AUDIENCE: This book was written for graduate students of public or population health, health psychology, health communications, medical sociology, and anthropology. In addition, behavioral and social scientists and practitioners will find it to be of value in supplementing their understanding of current theory and measurement issues. FEATURES: The book is organized into seven sections covering theory, behavioral interventions, measurement, change and adherence as they relate to chronic disease, specific populations, and implications of these in the broader contexts of ethics, and the social determinants of health. The 40 chapters include theories of prevention, health disparities, minority health, community-based participatory research, and measurement. The editors are a distinguished panel of scholars who have assembled a recognized cadre of social scientists and health practitioners. ASSESSMENT: Publication of this third edition is well justified owing to the tremendous progress that this field has experienced. Despite limited increases in funding to conduct research in these areas, the field has continued to expand in both impact and contribution, improving the lives of individuals and the health of communities. Demands of managed care and wellness programs require that practitioners and researchers find effective models for behavior change. This handbook has been updated to direct both care providers and policy makers to the most promising prevention and wellness therapies. RATING: ★★★★ Reviewed by: Karen Peters, Dr PH (University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, Chicago, IL)