Lecture 1 - Psychological Influences Flashcards
What is the leading cause of disease?
Behaviour
What is health behaviour?
Behaviour that may have implications for health
Behaviour
The actions or reactions of an individual to a situation – can be conscious or unconscious, voluntary or involuntary
Some aspects of lifestyle you may cover in a consultation with any patient when giving advice to promote a healthier lifestyle
Diet Exercise Alcohol Smoking Illicit drug use Sexual health
What were the leading causes of death in the US in 2000?
Tobacco use
Poor diet and physical inactivity
Alcohol consumption
What are some good diet changes?
Eating 5 a day
Reduce saturated fats
Reduce salt intake
Give some key behavioural risk factors for chronic diseases
Smoking Obesity Poor diet Lack of physical activity / sedentary behaviour Excessive alcohol consumption
What are the determinants of health behaviour?
Background factors
Stable factors - personality/individual dispositions (refers to variation between people, produce responses that are stable across time and context)
Social factors - social connections in the immediate environment
Situational factors - current situation
We bring with us, to any situation, the cumulative influence of background, stable and social factors, which we combine in various ways to form an understanding of our current situation. In most cases, our understanding (appraisal) of the situation determines our behaviour within it.
What are the three types of individual differences?
Emotional dispositions - present
Generalised expectancies - formulating expectations in relation to future outcomes
Explanatory styles - causes of negative past events
What can emotional dispositions be split into?
Negative affect
Emotional expression
What is self efficacy? (generalised expectancies)
Belief in one’s own ability to organise and execute a course of action, and the expectation that the action will result in, or lead to, a desired outcome
Locus of control is the other thing
How do stable factors influence appraisal?
They determine if, and to what extent, an event is salient, i.e. sensitivity towards particular types of event
They provide a generalised framework for understanding and evaluating the event, e.g. as threat or challenge
They make available, or suggest, potential responses, i.e. initial response options
Self - efficacy =
Belief in ability to change
What does self - efficacy underpin?
Goal-setting
Effort investment
Persistence in face of barriers
Recovery from setbacks
What is the general self - efficacy score?
Schwarzer and Jerusalem (1995)
What is the point in social cognition theories?
Social cognition theories attempt to explain the relationship between social cognitions (e.g. beliefs, attitudes, goals, etc.) and behaviour
What are some examples of social cognition theories?
Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, 1966)
Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1988)
Transtheoretical Model (Prochaska and DiClemente, 1983)
What are three examples of behaviour change initiatives?
Reduce smoking
Reduce drink drive limit
Free condoms
What are some NICE interventions/programmes aimed at populations?
1) Fiscal and legislative interventions
2) National and local advertising and mass media campaigns (for example, information
campaigns, promotion of positive role models and general promotion of health-enhancing
behaviours)
3) Point of sale promotions and interventions (for example, working in partnership with private
sector organisations to offer information, price reductions or other promotions
What are some NICE interventions/programmes aimed at communities?
Invest in interventions and programmes that identify and build on the strengths of individuals and communities and the relationships within communities e.g.
1) Support organisations and institutions that offer opportunities for local people to take part in
2) The planning and delivery of services
3) Support organisations and institutions that promote participation in leisure and voluntary activities
4) Promote resilience and build skills, by promoting positive social networks and helping to develop relationships
What are some NICE interventions/programmes aimed at communities?
Commissioners, service providers and practitioners working with individuals should select interventions that motivate and support people to e.g.
1) Feel positive about the benefits of health-enhancing behaviours and changing their behaviour
2) Plan their changes in terms of easy steps over time
3) Recognise how their social contexts and relationships may affect their behaviour,
4) Plan explicit ‘if-then’ coping strategies to prevent relapse
What is a good model for goals?
S = specific M = measurable A = achievable R = realistic T = timely
Think of a goal for one of the following:
- Increasing exercise
- Eating more healthily
- Drinking less alcohol
- Or any other health behaviour that is relevant to you
Background factors =
Stable factors =
Social factors =
Situational factors =
Cultural norms; SES; Gender; Ethnicity; Genes; Chronic health status
Emotional disposition, Generalised expectancies; Explanatory styles
Perceived support (family, friends, peers, etc.); Subjective norm; Helping relationships
Situation-specific self-efficacy; Perceived risk; Emotional response; Intention (motivation); Outcome evaluation
