Health Beliefs

Question 1

Define health beliefs

Answer 1

The beliefs thought to regulate health behaviour include those regarding the perceived threat of the illnnes, perceived susceptibility of the person to the disease and the perceived benefits of performing that behaviour

Question 2

What four things do patients have beliefs about?

Answer 2

causes
consequences
control
outcomes

Question 3

Give some examples of health behaviours?

Answer 3

exercise, smoking, self examination, eye tests, sexual protection, teeth and gum care, reckless driving, visiting the doctor, taking medication, sleep, diet, compliance, immunisations, wearing a helmet

Question 4

The Health Belief Model

A person's readiness to take health action is determined by four main factors:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What are the revisions to this model?

Answer 4

1. the perceived SUSCEPTIBILITY of the disease
2. the perveived SEVERITY of the disease
3. the perceived BENEFITS of taking action
4. the perceived BARRIERS to performing action

Revisions:
health motivation, demographic variables, psychosocial variables, cues to action

Question 5

What other factors might affect health behaviours?

Answer 5

attitudes
attributions
personaility traits
self-efficacy
knowledge and beliefs
perceptions of risk

Question 6

Implications for practice:

A person is more likely to undertake a health behaviour when they believe that:

Answer 6

Their health is important
The are suspetible to a health threat which could have serious consequences
The proposed action will be effective and does not have too many costs
Others approve of the actin and their approval is important
They can successfully carry out the action