Introduction to Psychology Flashcards
what are health-related behaviours?
smoking physical activity diet weight control drug and alcohol use contraceptive use sunscreen use tooth-brushing safety measures uptake of vaccination uptake of screening presenting at services healthcare attendance medication adherence self-monitoring trigger avoidance general self-care - sleep and hygiene
why are behaviours important?
those not smoking, being physically active, drinking only moderate amounts of alcohol and eating 5+portions of fruit and veg a day were 4 times less likely to have died . The impact is equivalent to being 14 years younger
when is behaviour change important?
in all aspects of health and healthcare:
primary prevention - health behaviour
secondary prevention - illness behaviour
treatment & recovery - sick-role behaviour
ongoing management - self-care behaviour
throughout course of life - will have a positive impact whatever age change is made
key asthma related behaviours
smoking using inhalers correctly taking and adjusting medications self-monitoring - peak flow/ symptoms avoiding/ managing triggers seeking and presenting at health services when needed attending appointments - asthma clinic
when are asthma behaviours important?
primary prevention - early diet, breastfeeding, trigger exposure, smoking etc.
secondary prevention - asthma attacks
Recovery - following attacks
Ongoing management
why is behaviour important in asthma?
more than 3 people die a day from asthma
death rates have risen again since 2005
2/3 deaths and 3/4 hospitalisations due to asthma could be prevented by better medical and patient management
what factors influence behaviours?
biological - genetics, pre-existing illness
environmental - access, cost, weather
social - culture, class, education, employment, support
psychological - past and concurrent behviours, personality, emotions, cognitions
what are the 2 psychological systems?
impulsive and reflective
impulsive system
controlling automatic, habitual behaviour with little conscious awareness
may be difficult to change, environment can prompt
e.g. driving or eating
Reflective system
conscious awareness, planning of the deliberative action
easier to change, over time can help replace old habits with new
e.g. physical activity
what are social and cognitive factors?
social = relationships with others, support, pressure, self identity Cognitive = internal thought processes - knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, goals and plans
social and cognitive factors are…
acquired through socialisation, learning
assumed to mediate effects of other factors
may be more open to change
psychological models describe how factors combine, interact and can be targeted .
researching psychological factors
observation - identification of influencing factors using quantitative and qualitative
model - describe how factors combine and interact
theory - organise known facts as basis for further research
predictions - specific questions/ hypotheses to test
testing - development of measures, approaches for testing
revision - on basis of new findings, applications
intervention - change on basis of model, theory
models of motivation
health locus of control
health belief model
protection-motivation theory
theory of planned behaviour
health belief model
loose association of beliefs:
- perceived threat - perceived susceptibility, severity
- evaluation of behaviour - pros, cons/ barriers
- health motivation
- cues to action - internal/ external
- behaviour
Beliefs are significant but small predictors of a wide range of behaviours
Most salient beliefs depend on behaviour, population
