HEALTH AND ILLNESS BEHAVIOR Flashcards
The series of behaviors typifying the health-seeking process have been labeled _____ &_______
health and illness behaviors.
is any activity undertaken by a person who feels ill to define the state of his or her health and discover a suitable remedy.
Health Behavior
is any activity undertaken by a person who considers himself ill to get well or to deal with the illness.
Sick Role Behavior
The more frightening or visible the symptom, the greater the likelihood that the individual will intervene.
QUALITY OF SYMPTOMS
The perceived threat of the symptom must be serious for action to be taken. Often others will step in if the person’s behavior is considered dangerous (e.g., suicidal behavior) but will be unaware of potential problems if the person’s behavior seems natural (“he always acts that way”).
SERIOUSNESS OF SYMPTOMS
Behaviors that are very disruptive in work or other social situations are likely to be labeled as illness much sooner than the same behaviors in a family setting. An individual whose activities are disrupted by a symptom is likely to take that symptom seriously even if on another occasion he would consider the same symptom trivial (e.g. acne just before a date).
DISRUPTION OF DAILY ACTIVITIES
The frequency of a symptom is directly related to its importance; a symptom that persists is also likely to be taken seriously.
RATE AND PERSISTENCE OF SYMPTOM
The extent to which others, especially family. tolerate the symptom before reacting; various individuals also have different tolerance thresholds.
TOLERANCE OF SYMPTOM
A person’s information about the symptom, knowledge base, and cultural values all influence that person’s perception of illness.
SOCIO COGNITIVE STATUS
Often,the individual or family members need to deny a symptom for personal or social reasons. The amount of fear and anxiety present can interfere with perception of a symptom.
DENIAL OF SYMPTOM
Competing needs may motivate a person to delay or enhance symptoms. A person who has no time or money to be sick will often not acknowledge the seriousness of symptoms.
MOTIVATION
The symptom must be interpreted. Often people explain symptoms within normal parameters (“I’m just tired”).
ASSIGNING OF MEANING
The greater the barriers to treatment-whether
psychological, economic, physical, or social- the greater the likelihood that the symptom will not be interpreted as serious or that the person will seek an alternative form of care.
TREATMENT ACCESSIBILITY
Refers to the accumulated sciences, arts, and techniques of restoring and preserving health that are used by any cultural group.
HEALING SYSTEM
For common minor illnesses, an estimated 70% to 90% of all people initially try self-care with over the- counter medicines, megavitamins, herbs, exercise, and/or foods that they believe have healing powers
SELF CARE
Use of Herbal Medicine
Hilot and Massage Therapy
Spiritual Healing
Philippines
Use of Herbal Medicine
Thermal Spring and Spas
Seawater Therapy (Thalassotherapy)
CROATIA
Traditional Medicine
Diet and Nutrition
Hammams
MOROCCO
