Is there a science of the processes underlying health and illness behaviors? A comment on Maes and Karoly

Maes and Karoly (2005) provide thorough overview of many of the current theoretical models and much of the empirical data describing application of self-regulation concepts to chronic illness management. They make clear that much of theory and data focuses on remote and proximal goals involved in the self-regulation process. The review makes clear, however, that few models and studies conceptualise and examine how individuals create goals and evaluate progress. Knowledge of these processes is essential for the development of effective interventions. We argue that understanding these processes is essential for understanding the interplay of concrete experience and conceptual processes. Concepts in this area are central for understanding how top-down and bottom-up processes integrate in generating self-regulatory behaviors to affect somatic experience. We discuss theoretical frameworks that can generate research paths that will lead to effective interventions.