Psychology & Health Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering health psychology definitions, mental health models, behavior change theories, and personality traits relevant to nursing practice.

Health Psychology

The study of psychological and behavioral processes in health, illness, and healthcare, exploring how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness.

Recovery Model

A mental health model that emphasizes self-determination, hope, and peer support, understanding recovery as a personal journey rather than simply symptom elimination.

Tidal Model

A person-centered mental health nursing model that focuses on the individual's own story, strengths, and experiences to support autonomy and resilience.

Health Belief Model (HBM)

A theoretical framework that predicts health behaviors based on individual beliefs including perceived susceptibility, severity, and the balance of benefits versus barriers.

Perceived Susceptibility

An individual's belief about the chances of getting a specific health condition.

Perceived Severity

An individual's belief about the seriousness of a condition and its subsequent consequences.

Cues to Action

Triggers such as symptoms, media, or advice that activate an individual's readiness to perform a health behavior.

Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)

A model stating that behavioral intention, the immediate antecedent of behavior, is determined by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.

Subjective Norms

The perceived social pressure to perform or not perform a specific behavior.

Transtheoretical Model (TTM)

Also known as the Stages of Change, it describes behavioral progression through Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance, and Relapse.

Self-Efficacy

An individual's belief in their own capability to organize and execute the actions required to manage prospective situations.

Mastery Experiences

The most influential source of self-efficacy, where personal success builds a robust belief in one's efficacy.

Internal Locus of Control

The belief that personal behaviors and choices directly determine health results, often leading to greater treatment adherence.

External Locus of Control

The belief that health outcomes are attributed to chance, fate, God, or powerful others such as doctors.

Type A Behavior Pattern

A personality trait characterized by being competitive, impatient, time-urgent, and hostile.

Conscientiousness

A personality trait involving being organized, disciplined, responsible, and plan-oriented, showing self-control and goal-directed behavior.

Neuroticism

A personality trait involving a tendency toward negative emotions like anxiety, depression, and vulnerability to stress.

SMART Objectives

Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals used in behavior change interventions.

Action Planning

The creation of detailed "If-Then" plans that specify exactly when, where, and how to perform a healthy behavior.

Environmental Nudges

Modifying the physical context to make the healthy choice the easy, default choice.

Biomedical Model

A medical framework focusing on physiological pathology and cure where the patient is viewed as a passive recipient.

Biopsychosocial Model

A holistic framework that integrates biological, psychological, and social factors, treating the patient as an active partner in care.