Health psychology

Question 1

Define health behaviour and give an example?

Answer 1

Aimed at prevent disease

Going for a run

Question 2

Define illness behaviour and give an example?

Answer 2

Seeking remedy

Going to the GP for a symptom

Question 3

Define sick role behaviour and give an example?

Answer 3

Activity aimed at getting well

Taking antibiotics

Question 4

Define health psychology?

Answer 4

The role of psychological factors in the cause, progression and consequences of health and illness.

Question 5

What are three models of health behaviour change?

Answer 5

Trans-theoretical

Theory of planned behaviours

Health belief model

Question 6

Describe the transtheoretical model?

Answer 6

PC PAM

Pre-contemplation (not ready yet)

Contemplation (thinking about it)

Preparation (getting ready)

Action (doing it)

Maintenance (sticking with it)

Question 7

Pros and cons of transtheoretical model?

Answer 7

PROS

• acknowledges individual stages of readiness
• accounts for relapse
• temporal element

CONS

• not all people stick to this model
• doesn’t take into account values, culture, social, economic

Question 8

Describe the theory of planned behaviour?

Answer 8

Intention is the best predictor of behaviour

Attitudes
Subjective norms
Perceived behaviour control
ALL LEAD TO
Intention
WHICH LEADS TO
Behaviour

The gap between intention and behaviour is bridged by certain things

• Prep actions
• Perceived control
• Anticipated regret
• Implementation intentions
• Relevance to self

Question 9

In the theory of planned behaviour what bridges the gap between intention and behaviour?

Answer 9

P PAIR

Preparatory actions
Perceived control
Anticipated regret
Implementation intentions
Relevance to self

Question 10

Pros and cons of theory of planned behaviour?

Answer 10

PROS

• Applied to variety of health behaviours
• Useful for predicting intention
• Considers social pressures

CONS

• no temporal element, direction or causality
• doesn’t consider emotions
• assumes attitudes can be measured

Question 11

Describe the health belief model?

Draw it out

Answer 11

The likelihood of engaging in health-promoting behaviour

Cues to action

4 main factors, the belief that…

1. they’re susceptible
2. it’s serious
3. taking action reduces susceptibility
4. benefits outweigh the costs

Question 12

Pros and cons of health belief model?

Answer 12

PROS

• applied to variety of health behaviours
• cues to action are unique
• longest standing model

CONS

• other factors may influence outcome
• doesn’t consider emotions
• doesn’t differentiate between first time and repeated behaviours

Question 13

What are cues to action?

Answer 13

Internal or external

- GP saying smokings bad for you for example.

Question 14

Name some other models?

Answer 14

Motivational interviewing: counselling

Nudge theory: opt out schemes, fruit next to checkouts

Question 15

What are the typical transition points of health behaviour change?

Answer 15

Leaving school
Entering workforce
Becoming parent
Becoming unemployed
Retirement
Bereavement