Becker - Health belief model (theories of healthy living)

Question 1

What is the Health belief model?

Answer 1

a process in which an individual identifies factors which in turn may inhibit or promote them adopting a healthy behaviour (cognitive approach)

developed by Rosenstock in 1966 - 6 elements

looks at both individual and situational factors as predictors of adopting healthy behaviours.

Question 2

The health belief model (all 6 elements)

Answer 2

A person will adopt a healthy behaviour if:

• If they perceive a threat to their health if they don’t adopt it
  
  • Perceived seriousness will increase the threat
  • Perceived susceptibility will increase the threat
• If the benefit outweighs the cost
• If they are reminded by internal and/or external cues
• Depending on demographic variables such as age and gender

Question 3

Aim

Answer 3

To use the HBM to explain mother’s adherence to a drug regime for their asthmatic children.

Question 4

Method

Answer 4

Self report, clinical tests, correlation.

correlation between beliefs reported in interview and compliance with asthma medication

interview results validated by covert blood tests for medicine on 70% participants

Question 5

Participants

Answer 5

111 mothers aged 17-54

children 9 months-17yrs

Question 6

Procedure

Answer 6

Each mother interviewed about:

• child’s susceptibility to asthma
• beliefs about seriousness of asthma
• how much asthma interfered with children’s education, caused embarrassment, and interfered with mothers activities.

Also asked about their attitudes to doctors effectiveness and medicine effectiveness.

Question 7

results

Answer 7

POSITIVE correlation between beliefs about susceptibility and compliance with medical regime.

correlation between severity of asthma and compliance

2 demographic factors correlated - marital status and education.

Question 8

Conclusions

Answer 8

The HBM is a useful model to predict and explain different levels of compliance with medical regimes