Social network analysis is a potentially useful reflective tool for public health practitioners to assess the overall composition of their networks; strengthen collaborations with other community partners, and evaluate network function. One of the natures of the relationship among individuals, their environments and health behaviors is the behavior exercise. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) is identified as a comprehensive model for behavior exercise. In the TTM, the comprehensive role of the exercise was mentioned. In an article by Mahmoodabab, Abad & Mohammadi (2013), the research purpose was to explore situation of the stage of change in the exercise behavior for office personnel of Yazd city, using TTM. A cross-sectional study of 220 office staff from some administrative offices of Yazd was used. The results of the study displayed significant variation between mechanisms of decisional stability, behavioral process and cognitive process with the stages of change. The study found that the behavioral process of change and self-efficacy were the most important variables for improving levels of exercise in individuals. TTM, as a tool for interventional development, posits that health behavior change involves progress through six stages of change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. Ten processes of change have been identified for producing progression, along with decisional balance, self-efficacy, and temptation. The definition of the nature of relationship among individuals, their environments and health behaviors can be explained, using the Social Learning Theory (SLT). The main idea of social learning is that we do what we see. Basically, behavior is learned from our environment through observation. In this regard, learning can be used to explain how the cognitive process takes place in a social context. This can also happen via observation or education.
The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) is a modern psychological and classical behavioral change employed to initiate efficient interventions and to promote healthy behavioral changes. The Interventions can be personalized to the needs of individuals to achieve optimal results (Tang, Chen & Chen, 2009). There is a long tradition within SLT in public health education being central and of critical importance for intervention development. When looking generally on the aspects and significance of applying theory in public health research and practice, health educators could positively influence the social health behavior of individuals and communities. Also, health living conditions can be improved. The SLT describes learning that is affected by cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors, which are intricately and reciprocally connected to bring about the conscious desire to self-regulate future behavior (Bandura, 1991). There is an explanation of simulation in SLT, which can further illustrate how the value of such theory is used for the interventional purpose. For example, simulation integrates principles of SCT into an interactive approach to learning that incorporates the fundamental principles of intentionality, foresight, self-reactiveness, and self-reflectiveness (Burke, Helen & Mancuso, 2012). In the end, it is significant to see how many international health and development interventions target village units. These results raise the possibility of optimal target for public health interventions, which may not be determined through geography but social network interactions (Shakya, Christakis & Fowler, 2014). Social network interaction fur looks at how social learning can influence changes and interaction in a social community.
Mazloomy Mahmoodabab, S. S., Mohammadi, M., & Sharif Abad, M. M. (2013). Application of Transtheoretical Model to Exercise in Office Staff. Electronic Physician, 5588-593.
Bandura, A. (1991). Social cognitive theory of self-regulation. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 248–287. 10.1016/0749-5978(91)90022-L
Burke, Helen, EdD., R.N., & Mancuso, Lorraine, MSN/Ed, R.N., B.C. (2012). Social cognitive theory, metacognition, and simulation learning in nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education, 51(10), 543-548. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20120820-02
Shakya, H. B., Christakis, N. A., & Fowler, J. H. (2014). Association between social network communities and health behavior: An observational socio-centric network study of latrine ownership in rural India. American Journal of Public Health, 104(5), 930-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1524713346?accountid=14872
Tang, S., Chen, C., & Chen, J. (2009). Applying the transtheoretical model to tobacco prevention education in adolescence: a literature review. Journal Of Nursing, 56(2), 81-88 8p.
