Table 1. Integration of Social Cognitive Theory into the Partners in Care intervention.

Social Cognitive Theory Constructs / Integration of Social Cognitive Theory
constructs intoPartners in Care
Environment (Factors physically external to the person that can provide opportunities and social support) /  Program implemented in Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities.
 Intervention delivered to small groups to provide venue for support.
 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Island peer educators delivered intervention.
Situation (Perception of the environment that may provide an opportunity to correct misperceptions and promote healthful norms) /  Use of storytelling and other historical/cultural perspectives about healthy lifestyle practices as the “norms” for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander in the past; positive health habits for both family and community in order to have healthy families and healthy communities; tradition of families and communities working together to make life better.
 Information and encouragement to attend community activities (dancing classes, walking groups, gardening project, cooking classes).
Behavioral Capability (Knowledge and skill to perform a behavior that may allow mastery of a new behavior through learning skills) /  Teach/practice how-to skills to: self-monitor blood glucose; inspect inside of shoes and feet every day; increase physical activity in day-to-day living (park farther away, take stairs); choose a physical activity; eat more fiber, fruits, and vegetables; read food labels to choose foods lower in calories, fat and sugar; substitute brown rice for white rice; ask others for support for self-care activities.
 Pot luck celebration at end of intervention where participants bring healthy foods to share.
Expectations (Anticipatory outcomes of a behavior) /  Participants observe changes in blood sugar after taking medication as prescribed, exercising, and losing weight.
 Participants share stories of success with each other.
Expectancies (Value that a person places on a given outcome, incentives; increases likelihood that behavior will be performed; can be direct, shared through another’s experience, or self-produced) /  Stay healthy for your family.
 Keep your family healthy.
 Diabetes complications can be delayed/prevented.
Self-control (Personal regulation of a goal-directed behavior or performance that provides opportunities for self-monitoring, goal setting, problem solving, and self-reward. An agreement on who is making a behavior change, what the change will be, how change is measured, and what the reward will be) /  Encouraged to use calendars/journals to keep track of blood glucose monitoring, physical activity, and diet.
 Use of self-selected nonfood rewards when goal reached.
 Use of goal setting to improve self-management.
 Problem solving activities for resolving barriers to diabetes self-management.
Observational Learning (Learn new behaviors by watching the actions and outcomes of others’ behavior. Often learn best from models most like oneself). /  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Island community members teach intervention.
 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Island role models.
 Group meetings: observe others engaging in diabetes self-management activities.
Reinforcements (Responses to a behavior that may increase or decrease the likelihood or reoccurrence. Can include self-initiated rewards and incentives) /  Involvement of entire family in healthy lifestyle habits that are good for everyone and may prevent or postpone diabetes in family.
 Use simple self-selected, nonfood rewards for reaching goals.
 Recognition, encouragement, and feedback on performance.
 Improved control of diabetes (blood glucose, weight, emotions, etc.)
Self-efficacy (Person’s confidence in performing a particular behavior. Implies that behavior change should occur in small steps to ensure success) /  Teach how to make short-term goals that emphasize small changes, and continue to do for the rest of your life.
 Encouraged to use calendars/journals to write down goals and progress.
 Activities such as role-playing, discussion, and problem solving.
Emotional Coping Responses (Strategies such as problem-solving and stress management that are used by a person to cope with emotional stimuli) /  Stress reducing techniques taught and encouraged through goal setting activity.
 Problem-solving techniques taught through role-playing, case study and discussion (how to ask family member for help with self-care activities).
Reciprocal Determinism (The dynamic interaction of the person, the behavior, and the environment in which the behavior is performed. Behavioral change can include environmental, skill, and personal change) /  Goal setting and problem solving activities and discussion.
 Community activities: walking groups, dancing classes, on-site gym, gardening project, cooking classes.
Culturally Tailored Educational Methods /  Story with local characters begins each lesson to orient participants and facilitate discussion.
 Visuals of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders engaging in healthy behaviors.
 Local and culturally specific foods and exercises included in intervention.
 Community member peer educators deliver meetings.
 Program occurs in community setting.