Table 1 The COM-B model, a framework for understanding behaviour

Capability – a person’s capabilities to engage in a behaviour

Physical capabilities

Physical skills, stamina and/or strength

Psychological capabilities

Psychological skills, stamina and/or strength to engage in the necessary mental processes (including knowledge)

Opportunity – External factors that facilitate behaviour enactment

Physical opportunity

Opportunities afforded by the environment (e.g. time, financial resources and location)

Social opportunity

Opportunities afforded by interpersonal influences, societal cues and cultural norms

Motivation – Influenced by the previous two components (i.e. capability and opportunity)

Reflective motivation

Analytical decision-making based on experience or knowledge and making plans

Automatic motivation

Desires, impulses and emotional responses