Adoption and maintenance of lifestyle modifications

The search for determinants of compliance and noncompliance with prescribed medical treatments has yielded mixed results. Sociodemographic variables do not account for much variance in behavior, while various situational and attitudinal variables, particularly the health belief model and self efficacy, are better predictors of compliance. Successful attempts to explain health promotive behavior will require expanded models of helping and coping that encompass but go beyond the traditional medical model. The application of one such expanded model seems useful in assisting motivated clients to avoid various addictive and indulgent behaviors and in helping them prevent relapses to former high-risk behavior patterns. Health professionals are urged to join in partnership with their clients, particularly in regard to high-risk behaviors, on the dual grounds that a therapeutic alliance is more likely to result in mutually desired change and that clients should be free to choose their own lifestyles.