Psychological Influences on Health

Question 1

Key behavioural risk factors for chronic diseases: smoking

Answer 1

cardiovascular disease - HTN, CHD, stroke
COPD
cancer

Question 2

Key behavioural risk factors for chronic diseases: obesity/overweight

Answer 2

cardiovascular disease
type 2 DM
cancer

Question 3

Key behavioural risk factors for chronic diseases: poor diet

Answer 3

obesity
T2DM
CVD
cancer

Question 4

Key behavioural risk factors for chronic diseases: lack of physical activity/sedentary behaviour

Answer 4

obesity 
T2DM
CVD
Osteoporosis
back pain
cancer

Question 5

recommended activity levels for adults

Answer 5

> 30 mins moderate intensity activity on 5+ days/week

>20 mins vigorous intensity activity on 3_ days/week

Question 6

Key behavioural risk factors for chronic diseases: excessive alcohol consumption

Answer 6

obesity
liver disease
CVD
cancer
diabetes
osteoporosis
pancreatitis
psychiatric disorders

Question 7

NICE Principles for selecting interventions and programmes aimed at populations

Answer 7

Deliver population-level policies, interventions and programmes tailored to change specific, health-related behaviours. They could include:
fiscal and legislative interventions
national and local advertising and mass media campaigns (for example, information
campaigns, promotion of positive role models and general promotion of health-enhancing
behaviours)
point of sale promotions and interventions (for example, working in partnership with private
sector organisations to offer information, price reductions or other promotions).

Question 8

NICE Principles for selecting interventions and programmes aimed at communities

Answer 8

Invest in interventions and programmes that identify and build on the strengths of individuals and communities and the relationships within communities. E.g.,
support organisations and institutions that offer opportunities for local people to take part in
the planning and delivery of services
support organisations and institutions that promote participation in leisure and voluntary activities
promote resilience and build skills, by promoting positive social networks and helping to develop relationships

Question 9

NICE Principles for selecting interventions and programmes aimed at individuals

Answer 9

Commissioners, service providers and practitioners working with individuals should select interventions that motivate and support people to e.g.,
feel positive about the benefits of health-enhancing behaviours and changing their behaviour
plan their changes in terms of easy steps over time
recognise how their social contexts and relationships may affect their behaviour,
plan explicit ‘if-then’ coping strategies to prevent relapse

Question 10

to influence action/behaviour, information must be:

Answer 10

Relevant to current goals
Easily understood and remembered
Readily available in the moment of decision or action

Question 11

how to motivate to do something

Answer 11

Example: alcohol in pregnancy
The advantages of not drinking (healthy baby) outweigh the disadvantages
You anticipate a positive response from others to your behaviour change (e.g., your partner also wants the unborn child to be healthy)
There is social pressure for you to change (very socially unacceptable to drink when obviously pregnant!)
You perceive the new behaviour to be consistent with your self-image (earth mother)
You believe you are able to carry out the new behaviour in a range of circumstances (at home, celebrations, etc)

Question 12

ability to change

Answer 12

Belief in ability to change = self-efficacy
Self-efficacy underpins:
goal-setting
effort investment
persistence in face of barriers
and recovery from setbacks

Question 13

how to change behaviours

Answer 13

Neither willpower or knowledge alone lead to long-term change
Small steps are more successful than big leaps
Environment is important –change this to make change work
Create new behaviours rather than just avoiding old ones
Don’t under-estimate the power of triggers
Goals have to be concrete
Set short-term goals which help you towards the long-term goal

Question 14

SMART goals

Answer 14

specific
measurable
achievable
realistic
timely

Question 15

describe the nuffield council on bioethics ladder of intervention

Answer 15

do nothing or simply monitor the current situation
provide information
enable choice
guide choice through changing the default
guide choice through incentives
guide choice through discentivies
restrict choice
eliminate choice

Question 16

describe the NICE 2025 behaviour change pathway

Answer 16

see notes