The precaution adoption process.

Current models of individual self-protective behavior are dominated by a cost-benefit decision-making perspective. Although various theories differ in the range of costs and benefits considered and in the specific equation used to predict action likelihood all assume that people weigh the expected benefits of a precaution against its costs and adopt the precaution if the balance appears favorable. Needed however is a new theory of preventive behavior that can accomodate more of its complexities. 1 such alternative approach is to conceptualize the precaution adoption process as a series of distinct stages. Stage theory suggests that people at different points in the precaution adoption process behave in qualitatively different ways and that the types of information and interventions needed to move people closer to action will vary from stage to stage. Among the variables that are best described by a series of cognitive stages rather than by their location on a continuum are beliefs about personal susceptibility; beliefs about severity precaution effectiveness and cost; and the decision to take action. According to this perspective the decision to act in a self-protective manner will not occur until people have reached the final stages of all 3 relevant beliefs--susceptibility severity and precaution effectiveness. Another factor that must be considered is the gap between intentions and action; many people claim to be convinced that a precaution is worthwhile state that they intend to act but do not follow through on their intentions. This inaction can reflect the low priority of the action situational obstacles problems in initiating the action or difficulties in maintaining precautions that prove arduous. The practical implication of the notion that people pass through qualitatively different stages as they move toward preventive action suggests that an effective program in 1 situation may be inappropriate in another.