psychology notes a2
HEALTH AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Theories of Health Belief
The Health Belief Model:
Background
Predicts the uptake of health behaviours based on several factors.
Study in 1954 showed whether people go for TB screening; only if they perceived it to be real threat.
HBM is a cognitive model which identifies factors that indicate the possibility of individual adopting health behaviour.
Two aspects: perceived seriousness and cost-benefit analysis.
Demographic variables may affect final decision and external and internal cues (TV programmes or a period of being unwell)
Takes in social aspects such as culture.
Core study using HBM by Becker:
Aim: To use the HBM to explains mother’s adherence to a drug regimen for their asthmatic children.
Procedure: - 111 mothers aged between 17-54 years were responsible for the asthma medication of their children ages between 9 months and 17 years using a correlational design. Mothers interviewed 45 mins each. They were asked questions on seriousness, susceptibility to illness, interference with education and interference with mother’s daily activities. There were also asked on faith in doctors and effectiveness of medication.
Findings: Positive correlation between mother’s compliance and belief of susceptibility and also between perceived seriousness. Those who said it interfered with daily activities also complied. Costs such as disruption of daily activities, child complaining etc. correlated negatively with compliance. Two demographic variables that correlated with compliance were marital status and education.
Conclusion: HBM is a useful model to predict and explain different levels of compliance with medical regimens.
WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS
1) Takes a situational approach and therefore ignores individual differences as the HBM model suggests factors such as perceived threat, cost benefit, external/internal and demographic variables determine whether we adhere to medication. Does not look at
Theories of Health Belief
The Health Belief Model:
Background
Predicts the uptake of health behaviours based on several factors.
Study in 1954 showed whether people go for TB screening; only if they perceived it to be real threat.
HBM is a cognitive model which identifies factors that indicate the possibility of individual adopting health behaviour.
Two aspects: perceived seriousness and cost-benefit analysis.
Demographic variables may affect final decision and external and internal cues (TV programmes or a period of being unwell)
Takes in social aspects such as culture.
Core study using HBM by Becker:
Aim: To use the HBM to explains mother’s adherence to a drug regimen for their asthmatic children.
Procedure: - 111 mothers aged between 17-54 years were responsible for the asthma medication of their children ages between 9 months and 17 years using a correlational design. Mothers interviewed 45 mins each. They were asked questions on seriousness, susceptibility to illness, interference with education and interference with mother’s daily activities. There were also asked on faith in doctors and effectiveness of medication.
Findings: Positive correlation between mother’s compliance and belief of susceptibility and also between perceived seriousness. Those who said it interfered with daily activities also complied. Costs such as disruption of daily activities, child complaining etc. correlated negatively with compliance. Two demographic variables that correlated with compliance were marital status and education.
Conclusion: HBM is a useful model to predict and explain different levels of compliance with medical regimens.
WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS
1) Takes a situational approach and therefore ignores individual differences as the HBM model suggests factors such as perceived threat, cost benefit, external/internal and demographic variables determine whether we adhere to medication. Does not look at