Social Cognitive Theory and Health Care: Analysis and Evaluation

Abstract

Social Cognitive Theory explains how different personal, environmental and cognitive factors influence human behavior and it has been an important source of knowledge in the social and health sciences. It has been employed in research and practice in nursing, the science of caring. However, no critical analysis has been conducted to show the impact of Social Cognitive Theory in nursing. This article aims to conduct an analysis and evaluation of Social Cognitive Theory using the Fawcett and DeSanto-Madeya methodological framework and a systematic search of the literature. Social Cognitive Theory showed that even though is a non-disciplinary theory of health sciences, the clarity and simplicity of its content facilitates its use in understanding and addressing different phenomena of caring, the creation of middle-range theories and in professional education. The contribution of Social Cognitive Theory in nursing science has focused mainly on two aspects: firstly, on improving disciplinary knowledge with the practical context of health caring by understanding human behavior and its integration in interventions for the promotion, prevention and treatment of health, and secondly, on nursing professionals’ education, highlighting the relevance of the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge.

Racism as a Public Health Issue for Nurses of Color in Clinical and Academic Settings: Ten Nurses Tell Their Stories

“…The premise of the SRT is that learning occurs within a social context. The theory can be used effectively to explain the environmental, cognitive, and personal factors that influence the behavior of human beings (Manjarres-Posada et al, 2020) and is ideal for examining nurses' experiences with racism and discrimination prior to and during nursing school and in their workplaces and professional organizations after program completion. Racism is a behavior and belief that is not accepted by all persons but arises in the context of socialization.…”

Factors of maladaptive coping in emergency healthcare professionals: A systematic review

“…The theory was developed in the social sciences but has been used across specialties, including nursing, to understand and predict human behavior (Manjarres-Posada et al, 2020). Applying SCT in the context of MC aligns with Bandura's philosophical statement regarding self-regulatory capability, in which behavior is motivated by self-evaluation of actions while being created from, and supported by external influences (Bandura, 1986).…”

“…The framework ascribes that human behavior is influenced by the continuous interplay between an individual's personal, cognitive, and environmental factors, referred to a triadic reciprocal causation (see Figure 1). The theory was developed in the social sciences but has been used across specialties, including nursing, to understand and predict human behavior (Manjarres‐Posada et al, 2020). Applying SCT in the context of MC aligns with Bandura's philosophical statement regarding self‐regulatory capability, in which behavior is motivated by self‐evaluation of actions while being created from, and supported by external influences (Bandura, 1986).…”

“…Applying SCT in the context of MC aligns with Bandura's philosophical statement regarding self‐regulatory capability, in which behavior is motivated by self‐evaluation of actions while being created from, and supported by external influences (Bandura, 1986). SCT considers the inherent potential for individuals to generate coping responses to new situations, environmental factors, and internal stresses that regulate behavior (Manjarres‐Posada et al, 2020). Concepts derived from SCT and explored in this review included personal factors of EHP, environmental factors related to the work environment of EHP, and MC behavior leading to negative mental health outcomes.…”