Health and Society: The Health Belief Model

2171 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: rite an essay on the health belief model

Health and Society Health behavior used to be classically defined as any activity undertaken by a person believing him/herself to be healthy for the purpose of preventing disease or detecting it at an asymptomatic stage (Kasl and Cobb, 2014). A more modern and appropriate definition would be to refer to any behaviour that influences the health of the person, whether it be health promoting or health damaging. As the GP has already outlined to the couple, the IVF process with hormone treatment is associated with behaviours such as weight gain, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. IVF is a stressful and enduring process, and women often partake in behaviours that are advised against as part of the coping mechanism. It must be clearly stated that it is not solely a person’s individual (cognitive, biological) experiences that determine a particular health behaviour. It is the interplay of numerous other factors that ultimately influences a particular health behaviour; these include social, cultural and environmental influences. All these stimuli interact and result in a set of beliefs that provides the basis for why individuals act the way they do. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a psychological model that attempts to explain and predict health behaviors by focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of individuals (Health Belief Model, 2014).The model encompasses ideas such as perceived susceptibility and severity of health-related behaviours, the perceived benefits and barriers, as well as cues to action. (Rutter and Quine, 2014) We’ll take obesity as an example of one of Yvonne’s behaviours as a result of the IVF treatment. Yvonne’s attitude towards obesity is central to the idea behind this model. Yvonne does no... ... middle of paper ... ...v/pmc/articles/PMC3169679/ [Accessed 25 Apr. 2014]. Macer, D. (2014). Perception of risks and benefits of in vitro fer... [Soc Sci Med. 1994] - PubMed - NCBI. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8146712 [Accessed 25 Apr. 2014]. Mayoclinic.org, (2014). In vitro fertilization (IVF) Risks - Tests and Procedures - Mayo Clinic. [online] Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/basics/risks/prc-20018905 [Accessed 25 Apr. 2014]. McGUINNESS, S. and S. UÍ CHONNACHTAIGH (2011). "Implications of Recent Developments in Ireland for the Status of the Embryo." Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics 20(03): 396-408. Bailii.org, (2014). Roche -v- Roche & ors [2009] IESC 82 (15 December 2009). [online] Available at: http://www.bailii.org/ie/cases/IESC/2009/S82.html [Accessed 25 Apr. 2014].

Show More
Related

  • IVF and the New Eugenics

    1509 Words  | 4 Pages

    “IVF Patient Numbers and Success Rates Continue to Rise." Human Fertlisation & Embryology Authority. Dec. 2007. .

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Embryo Reproduction

    1565 Words  | 4 Pages

    family and considering embryo reproduction. New medical and science technology in the embryo industry across the nation provide opportunities for childless couples to utilize technology advancements to assist with reproduction but with religion, moral and legal considerations when selecting this extra-ordinary process in today's society. All four sources function with detailed information regarding embryo reproduction and the impact and process effecting many couples with fertility issues. These sources provide valuable information for couples and prospective donors covering various topics critical to decision making during the embryo reproduction process.

    Read More

  • Research Paper On In Vitro Fertilization

    1609 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a complex series of procedures used to help those who want children but struggle with infertility. The process consists of extracting eggs from a woman and collecting a man’s sperm sample then manually combining them in a lab dish. Once the embryo(s) are created they are transferred to a woman’s uterus. IVF is commonly used in woman who cannot conceive on their own due to different reasonings. “These include but are not limited to blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, woman with ovulation disorders, genetic disorders, woman who have had their fallopian tubes removed and unexplained infertility.” (American Pregnancy)

    Read More

  • The Biopsychosocial Model of Health

    1320 Words  | 3 Pages

    Firstly, as a GP, it is crucial to explore the biopsychosocial model of health. One must realise that biological, psychological and social factors all contribute to a person’s overall health. The social dimension cannot be ignored in Anne’s case. According to the World Health Organisation, the social determinants of health are ‘the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.’ (World Health Organisation. 2013) From the information provided, one could suggest that various social factors have contributed to Anne’s obesity. Anne grew up in a deprived area of the inner city. Growing up in a deprived area does not directly cause obesity, however, social determinants are known as causes of the causes of ill health. (WMA. 2011) Obesity can be caused by consuming too many calories, leading a sedentary lifestyle and not sleeping enough. (Christian Nordqvist. 2011) These, in turn, could be referred to as consequences of living in the inner city. Studies have shown that ‘inner city parents have high levels of anxiety about neighbourhood safety. While these concerns may not entirely explain the discrepancy in activity levels between inner city and suburban children, a safe environment is crucial to increasing opportunities for physical activity.’ (Weir, L.A., Etelson, D. & Brand, D.A. 2006) Similarly, it is possible that Anne’s socio-economic status has influenced her smoking since a person below the poverty threshold is more likely than somebody at or above the threshold to be both a current smoker and not to have quit. (Flint, A.J. & Novotny, T.E. 1997)

    Read More

  • How Health Psychology Can Aid Nurses in Caring for Patients with HIV

    985 Words  | 2 Pages

    This essay will demonstrate how health psychology can aid nurses in caring for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It will look at how stigma can impact on the behaviour of patients with HIV as well as explain causes for non adherence. Health psychology studies thoughts, emotions and behaviours related to health and illness. It uses a biopsychosocial approach which considers all aspects of a person's life. Health psychology allows nurses to have a better understanding of how patients perceive health, what influences health risk behaviours and what prompts people to adopt healthy behaviours (Ogden, 2012a). The health belief model (HBM), which was developed in 1966 by Rosenstock, is used as a way of explaining why people choose to use health protection behaviours (Pitts and Phillips, 1998). For the purpose of this essay the HBM will be applied to HIV to demonstrate how it can explain why some people choose not to use condoms.

    Read More

  • Health Belief Model In Psychology

    226 Words  | 1 Pages

    Health belief model is becoming aware of threat, if a person does not see a healthcare behavior as risky or threatening there is no encouragement to act. For example, when Sabrina swims at their summer lake every day, she doesn’t realize that she is at risk of skin cancer and will most likely to continue to swim at the infected lake. According to several search, there are two main types of perceived threats such as perceived susceptibility and perceived severity. Susceptibility refers to how much risk a person perceives he or she has. On the other hand, severity refers to how serious the consequences might be to effectively change health behaviors, most people however usually believe in both susceptibility and severity. Because both susceptibly

    Read More

  • Psychological Aspect of Health Care

    2128 Words  | 5 Pages

    Our personal beliefs influence our health behavior either positively or negatively. Health beliefs have been linked to uptake and have been measured using a number of models. For example, Bish et al. (2000) used the health belief model (HBM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict uptake of a routine cervical smear test.

    Read More

  • Designer Babies Case Study

    1264 Words  | 3 Pages

    With the increased rate of integrating In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), there has been a steep inclination within the associated needs of specifications. Observably, the development of babies using scientific measures was initially formulated and specified for developing the diverse range of development associated with the same (Turriziani, 2014). However, these developments are noted to be creating an adverse impact on the natural course of events and subsequently, resulting with an adverse impact on the natural process of the development of babies. The initial integrations within the system of IVF for developing babies have further been initiated with the effective use of science to develop a healthy baby. Hence, the use of such progressions can be argued as not hampering the ethical needs associated with the same. Conversely, the initial progression within the same and the changes in the use of such practices are identified as unethical, as it has been acting as a threat in the natural course of development of embryos and altering the natural course of events, suspected to be imposing significant influence on infant mortality (Turriziani,

    Read More

  • Social Cognitive Theory: The Health Belief Model

    1041 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lets make it quite clear that change doesn’t happen overnight nor is it ever a process easy. To make a proper and healthy life-style behavior change, you must be dedicated to put in the time and effort that’s necessary for accomplish any goal. When I first began to become engage in exercising and becoming more physically fit I found that the Health Belief Model and the Social Cognitive Theory demonstrated the progression that I have made throughout my change. To begin you do not need to try and follow through the steps provided in any given model or a theory, the reasoning behind that statement is that everyone is different so our stages of change will all differ from one another. For me, once I decided that I wanted to begin attending group-fitness classes I found that through the Health Belief Model I had to understand the perceived benefits of my change, I had to

    Read More

  • Are We Living in a Dystopian Novel?

    940 Words  | 2 Pages

    Storck, Susan, MD. "In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Feb. 2012. Web.

    Read More

  • Theories Of Bandura And Social Cognitive Theory

    765 Words  | 2 Pages

    Health behaviour is defined as ‘behaviour patterns, actions, and habits that relate to health maintenance to health restoration and to health improvement’ (Gochman, 1997). An individual’s behaviour towards their health is influenced by their social, cultural and physical environments. Behaviours are categorised as being health-enhancing or health-impairing. Engaging in health- enhancing behaviours, for instance, taking regular exercise and eating a balanced diet, can lead to increased health benefits and reductions in illness. Alternatively, health-impairing behaviours, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and high dietary fat consumption, can have detrimental consequences on health and increase an individual’s susceptibility to disease.

    Read More

  • Social Cognitive Theory And The Theories Of Health Behavior

    722 Words  | 2 Pages

    Theories of health behaviors that assume individuals exist within, and are influenced by social environment are called “interpersonal theories” (National Cancer Institute, U.S Department of Health and Human Services & National Institutes of Health, 2005). Interpersonal theories/models also focus on how individuals are influenced by the opinions, thoughts, behaviors, and support of the people he/she associates with and vice versa (how individual influences others). The social environment can affect a person’s behavior, as well as have an impact on one’s health (National Cancer Institute, U.S Department of Health and Human Services & National Institutes of Health, 2005).The names of the interpersonal theories/models, are the following: Social Cognitive Theory, Social Networks and Social Support Theory, Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, and

    Read More

  • Surrogacy is Morally Wrong

    4193 Words  | 9 Pages

    (20) See Mitchell, J.D. "In Vitro fertilisation: The Major Issues - A Comment", Journal of Medical Ethics, Vol. 9, 1983, 196-199, who makes a similar point.

    Read More

  • Health Psychology Essay

    2387 Words  | 5 Pages

    Health psychology is a relatively new concept rapidly growing and could be defined as the biological and psychological influences affect ones behaviour also bringing in social influences of health and illness (MacDonald, 2013). Biological determinants consider genetic and biological factors of an illness whereas psychological determinants focus on the psychological factors such as why people behave the way they do when dealing with issues such as anxiety and stress. Models such as the Health Belief Model and Locus of Control were developed in attempt to try and explain psychological issues around a chronic illness such as breast cancer (Ogden, 2012). Sociological factors can cause an enormous amount of pressure for one to behave in a certain way for example gender roles in society and religious considerations when dealing with health beliefs. Health Beliefs can be defined as one’s own perception to their own personal health and illness and health behaviours (Ogden, 2012). There are also theories and models used to explain pain and coping with diagnosis such as Moos and Schaefer (1984) Crisis theory and Shontz (1975) cycle of grief people go through when being diagnosed with a serious illness.

    Read More

  • Bioethics Essay

    791 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sir Robert Edwards was an English physiologist who always took an interest in the study of genetics. He was the mastermind behind the medical reproductive procedure called In-vetro fertilization (Johnson). Because of Sir Edwards’s extraordinary contribution to the medical field, women with predisposed fertility problems are possibly able to have children. Without IVF millions of people wouldn’t be living on Earth today. Although Sir Edwards IVF procedure is considered controversial, it certainly had, and continues to have, a huge impact on our society. Sir Edwards’ first successfu...

    Read More

More about Health and Society: The Health Belief Model

Open Document