Theories of Health Behaviour - Essay Example

In this day and age of technology, as life becomes more comfortable for people, the lifestyle is becoming just as hazardous to one's health. However, as life becomes stressful, more people adapt practices that are dangerous to one's health. More diseases are being discovered and unearthed. As such, there are many articles, media advocacies, and government efforts to warn people of the hazards of stressful living to one's health. It has indeed become a national obssession to come up with ways to prolong one's life and fight the ravages of time (Roberts, 2002). As each person has a different social background, personality, and way of thinking from the other, people have various health behaviours. It is hence important to look at the different health behaviour theories to be able to determine how an individual's health behaviour is important in the promotion of health strategies. There are several theories that determine health behaviour and its barriers and facilitators such as knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, motivation, and self-concept (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). The Health Belief Model, one of the oldest health behaviour theories, postulates that changes in behaviour are dependent on five factors: perceived severity; perceived threat; perceived benefit; perceived barriers; and self efficacy (Washington State Department of Health, 2004). In the promotion of Breast Self Examination in women, for instance, women would be more likely to practise it if they believed that they were at risk of breast cancer (perceived threat); if they do not practise Breast self Examination, there is less chance that the cancer can be treated (perceived severity); and, it prevents the formation of breast cancer (perceived benefit). Furthermore, the health belief model proposes that an individual's change in behaviour is a result of a process wherein there is meticulous criticism of information before an actual decision or health behaviour is achieved (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). Health behaviour is also motivated by the rationalization of situations and decisions. An individual, for example, may see smoking as a stress-relieving behaviour despite the knowledge that it is harmful to one's health (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). In using this model, a health promoting strategy would be to first assess the people's preconceived notions on disease prevention and wellness prommotion (Elder, Ayala, & Harris, 2002). This way, the health care provider can come up with a atrategy that could appeal to the rationalization of the people and encourage a change in health behaviour. On the other hand, the theores of reasoned action and planned behaviour proposes that behaviour change stems from an individual's actual intention to do something, which is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). This theory may actually be related with the health belief model. Only, this model takes into consideration the preconceived norms and its importance to an individual. For instance, some people quit smoking because most of the people they know do not smoke and want them to quit smoking (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). Hence, they are more convinced of kicking the habit because of these subjective norms that suggests that they give up smoking. The concept of perceived behavioural control in this theory, however, suggests that there are factors that are beyond a person's control that affect one's health behaviour such as the lack of resources and skills that hinder one's self-efficacy (Elder, Ayala, & Harris, 2002). To further stress this point, Richard Wilkinson argues that there are health inequalities are not merely limited to physical and material factors like diet, bad housing, and low income; but also includes psychosocial factors such as low social status, less support networks and community resources, and few opportunities in life (as cited in Roberts, 2002). To strategise with this theory, it is important to consider how an individual is affected with the culture and norms of society, and to assess the importance an individual puts to how other people think of their behaviour. Another significant health behaviour model would be that of the Transtheoretical Model, that presents the five stages of change. These are pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). This model is based on the notion that "behaviour change is an ongoing process" instead of being just a single event (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). This theory also says that people have different stages of willingness to change (Washington State DOH, 2004). It is hence necessary for a health practitioner to determine the people's readiness to change (Elder, Ayala, & Harris, 2002). In using this theory, strategies may specifically be designed to suit different people going through a specific stage in the behavioural change process (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). For instance, a person in the contemplative stage may be more apt to follow health behavioural changes when cognitive approaches are used to encourage them further, while those in the action change may be more ready to accept specific interventions (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). As stated in the Health Education Resource Exchange in Washington website, "Behavior change is a complex process, often difficult to achieve and sustain. Health professionals realize that, in their work to encourage healthy behaviors, they are competing against powerful forces, involving social, psychological and environmental conditioning. Information is not enough. The benefits of behavior change must be compelling." (Washington DOH, 2004) In the New Statesman magazine, it was discussed how the more affluent people are more ready and willing to take on health initiatives as they can better afford the recommended diet, medication regimen, and exercise as opposed to the less affluent people (Roberts, 2002). This is just another evidence how a lot of factors play a role in an individual's health behaviours and decisions. Behavioural theories are more individualistic in their approach in the sense that it stresses the individual's role in changing health practises, and tends to ignore the structural and societal factors that limits the health choices of the individual (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). In addition to this, the health behaviour theories are more intent on the assessment of the individual's hindrances and influential factors, rather than attempting to change the society in which the individuals are struggling with (Earle, Lloyd, Sidell, & Spurr, 2007). In a nutshell, in promoting public health, it is always important to consider what these theories are suggesting: there are a lot of factors to consider that play a role in a person's health practices and behaviours. To be able to appeal to the people regarding the proper health behaviour and to instigate change when it is necessary, a health practitioner must design their strategy according to an individual's readiness to change, beliefs, attitudes, and culture. References Earle, S., Lloyd, C.E., Sidell, M., & Spurr, S. (eds.). (2007). Theory and research in promoting public health. London: Sage Publications. Elder, J.P., Ayala, G.X., & Harris, S. (2002). Theories and intervention approaches to health-behaviour change. Retrieved April 20, 2008, from http://www.cacr.ca/news/2002/0212elder.htm Roberts, Yvonne. (2002, June 24). Taking Responsibility for you Health is Easy if You are Wealthy: The Poor, on the other Hand, Often Lack the Assets, Diet, Exercise, and Support Systems That are Necessary for Well-being. New Statesman, 131, 4593. Washington State Department of Health. (2004). Health behavior models. Retrieved April 20, 2008, from the Health Education Resource Exchange in Washington: http://www3.doh.wa.gov/here/howto/images/Behavior.html Read More