Health Beliefs

Question 1

How does culture affect Health Beliefs?

Answer 1

Values, norms, and traditinos affect how individuals of a grop perceive, think, interact, behave, etc
We all participate in multiple cultures linked to ethnicity, nationality, social class, gender, etc

Question 2

How do Health Beliefs influence health seeking behaviour?

Answer 2

How people respond to symptoms
Decisions about consulting
Expectations about treatment
Concordance with treatment plans

Question 3

What are health-seeking behaviours?

Answer 3

What people do when they experience symptoms (e.g. Look it up, ignore it, ask advice …)

Question 4

What is the symptom iceburg?

Answer 4

Only 1/3 of people with symptoms see their GP (Other 2/3 do nothing, or self medicate)

Question 5

What 3 factors contribute towards Health-Seeking Behaviour?

Answer 5

Symptom perceptions - severity, frequency, familiarity etc
Symptom explanation - how they make sense of them
Evaluation of symptoms - costs and benefits of seeking help

Question 6

What are the social triggers to seeking medical help? (5)

Answer 6

Interference with social and personal relationships
Interference with activities
'Sanctioning' by others (lay referral)
'Temporalising' of Symptoms
Interpersonal Crisis

Question 7

What are the three types of health behaviour?

Answer 7

Good Health behaviours - e.g. Sleeping 7-8 hours, regular exercise
Health Protective Behaviours - e.g. Wearing a seatbelt, regular checkups
Health Impairing Habits - e.g. Smoking, high fat diet

Question 8

What is the Dual Pathway Model?

Answer 8

Two broad ways in which psychological processes may influence physical health
Direct and Indirect (affects behaviour which affects Physical Health)

Question 9

What factors affect people’s health beliefs? (4)

Answer 9

Shaped by:
Place in Society
Culture 
Personal Biography
Social Identity