Online exclusive: a model of health behavior to guide studies of childhood cancer survivors.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior (IMCHB) and its application to health promotion in childhood cancer survivors.

DATA SOURCES

Periodical literature about cancer survivors, health behavior models, and the IMCHB.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for various late complications of treatment. The primary goal of intervention is the modification of health-related behavior. Conceptual models that extend beyond health beliefs are needed to guide explanatory and intervention studies in this group.

CONCLUSIONS

The IMCHB identifies background, cognitive, affective, motivational, and contextual variables that explain health-related behaviors. The model defines the interactive and collective contributions of a survivor, family, and provider to adherence to protocols, reduction of risk behavior, and promotion of health-protective behavior.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

This model may identify new determinants of health-related behavior that can be targeted by specific inter- or intrapersonal interventions to protect the health of childhood cancer survivors and reduce their risk of late sequelae.