Individual factors in changing health beliefs — common mistakes

In an exam, be precise. Do not confuse locus of control with self-efficacy. Locus of control is a general belief about who controls life events (you vs. external forces), while self-efficacy is a specific belief about your ability to perform a particular action (e.g., 'I am confident I can run 5k').

Mostly, yes. An internal locus of control is strongly correlated with adopting and maintaining positive health behaviours. However, an extreme internal LoC can be detrimental if it leads to excessive self-blame and guilt for health conditions that are genuinely outside of personal control, such as genetically determined illnesses or accidents.

No, they are distinct concepts. Self-efficacy is your belief in your ability to succeed in a specific situation or accomplish a specific task (e.g., 'I am confident I can quit smoking'). Self-esteem refers to your overall sense of self-worth and value as a person. You can have high self-esteem but low self-efficacy for a particular health behaviour, and vice-versa.

No, this is a common misconception. The model is cyclical, not linear. It is very common for individuals to relapse and return to an earlier stage. For example, someone in the 'Action' stage of a new diet might have a difficult week and revert to the 'Contemplation' or 'Preparation' stage. The model accounts for this and sees relapse as a normal part of the long-term change process.