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Journal Article 1: Glanz, K., & Maddock, J. (2000). On judging models and theories: Research and practice, psychology and public health. Journal of Health Psychology, 5, 151–154.

Abstract: The development, explication, testing and application of theories of health-related behavior have drawn increasing attention from scientists and practitioners in health psychology, public health, and health care in the past decade. Indeed, numerous publications have drawn attention to the potential value of applying, testing empirically, and applying these theories in the practice of health promotion, patient education, and health psychology. We believe this trend is useful and beneficial to the field. For researchers, using a theory (or theories) requires imposing an organized framework on one’s approach toward understanding or solving a behavioral problem, and forces one to make assumptions explicit. For practitioners, theories or models can lead to thinking more broadly than the concrete health problem or issue at hand. They foster conceptual thinking and encourage the practitioner to ask why he or she believes a specific approach to improving health behavior is expected to work.

Journal Article 2: Linke, S., Robinson, C., & Pekmezi, D. (2013). Applying psychological theories to promote healthy lifestyles. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 8, 4–14.

Abstract: Over the past few decades, researchers have been developing and refining psychological theories and models to provide solid behavioral frameworks for evidence-based research. Each year new theories and models are created; however, a select few appear to have withstood the test of time and continue to be frequently utilized in present-day research. The objectives of this review are to highlight these psychological theories and models and describe their application to various public health issues and behaviors. Descriptions and example applications of the following theories and models are described in this review: health belief model, theory of reasoned action/planned behavior, social cognitive theory, transtheoretical model, and socioecological model.