Behavioural treatment of an adolescent girl with chronic stomach pain is described. The client was treated with a broad spectrum behavioural package including applied relaxation and coping skills. Results indicated considerable improvements in ratings of down-time, nausea, health, and mood. Moreover, she was nearly pain-free, and her activity and depression levels were substantially improved. The effects of treatment generalized to the natural environment and were sustained at a 9 month follow-up.

Ten high and twelve low socially anxious females were recruited to participate in a simulated “colour and emotions experiment”. Half of each group received self-enhancing statements whilst the other half were presented with neutral statements. Subjects waited in a disguised observation room and their behaviours were monitored unobtrusively during interaction with a confederate. Results showed that prior to treatment high anxious females made significantly more negative self-statements, conversed less, made fewer initiations of conversation than low anxious females. Latency of conversation and non-verbal behaviours were not significantly different for the two groups. Treatment with self-enhancing statements had no effect on the degree of social interaction and self statements generated by the two groups.

Health promotion involves the modification of behaviours which constitute risks to health, through such activities as intensive interventions with individuals, community health campaigns, and legislative and social change. Major target behaviours for health promotion include cigarette smoking, eating habits, exercising, and the management of stress. This paper outlines the range of approaches to behaviour change in health promotion, and considers the stages involved in the behaviour-change process. Theoretical frameworks for dealing with health-related behaviour change are suggested. In considering the relationship between behavioural research and health promotion activities, the process of development from basic research to programmes and policies is outlined, and the importance of maintaining conceptual and methodological rigour when working in field settings is stressed. We also argue that there is a need to take into account some relevant local contextual factors in the development and application of a behavioural approach to health promotion.