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Course Home > Assessing > P.E.R. Factors > Definitions of P.E.R. Factors

In This Module:

Extent of the Problem

Behavioral Factors

Environmental Factors

P.E.R. Factors
Scenario


The Big Picture

Resource


The P.E.R. Assessment - Part I

Utility


Definitions of P.E.R. Factors

Utility


P.E.R. Assessment Steps

Resource


The P.E.R. Assessment - Part II

Evaluation


Course Project - Part 3 - Assessing P.E.R. Factors

Collaboration


Discuss Your Assessment


Module 2 Wrap-Up
  

Definitions of P.E.R. Factors

You may want to print this summary (Printer-friendly version) of what predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing (P.E.R.) factors are. It might come in handy during P.E.R assessments to identify particular factors to target for creating behavioral and environmental changes you have prioritized. Each of these three categories of factors is defined below, with examples related to a specific behavior (consuming large portions).

 

Definitions of P.E.R. Factors

Predisposing Factors

Enabling Factors

Reinforcing Factors

Circumstances and situations existing before a given behavior occurs that provide the rationale or motivation for that behavior. They include knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, values, and self-efficacy.

Skills, resources, and barriers that help or hinder a given behavioral or environmental change. They include availability and accessibility of resources; laws, rules, regulations, and policies; and skills of individuals.

Feedback, positive or negative, that follows a particular behavior. These factors include the attitudes of others; the individual's physical or emotional changes and feelings after the behavior; economic impacts; ads and mass media; and perceived social acceptance of the behavior.

 

P.E.R. Factors Related to Consuming Large Portions

Predisposing Factors Examples

Enabling Factors Examples

Reinforcing Factors Examples

Knowledge: People don't know portions are a lot bigger than what people need to eat.

Availability: Fast food restaurants offer larger portion sizes for not much more money.

Attitudes of others: Large portion sizes are accepted as the norm.
Attitudes: People like getting served big portions. Accessibility: People have the money to buy larger portions. Physical feelings: People can feel uncomfortably full when eating more than they need.
Beliefs: People believe it's bad to waste food. Policies: Some restaurants have a policy of charging extra for sharing a meal. Economic impacts: For not much more money, people get a lot more food.
Values: People value getting more for their money Skills of individuals: It's easy to supersize an order. Mass media: Ads encourage people to choose the larger sizes.
Self-efficacy: People are not confident that they can leave part of a portion uneaten.   Perceived social acceptance: Restaurants offer certificates and recognition for those who can eat huge amounts.

Reference: Green LW, Kreuter MW. Health Program Planning: An Educational and Ecological Approach, 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2005

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