Health Beliefs and Health Behaviours

define lay health beliefs

complex beliefs we think are true that may be either sensible or irrational, perspectives of ‘ordinary’ people

origin of health beliefs

socio-cultural roots, as well as personal biography

why are lay health beliefs important to doctors

provides insight, and can influence health seeking behaviour

reasons why people decide to consult a doctor

perception/explanation/evaluation of symptoms

social triggers to seeking medical help

• interference with social/personal relationships

• interference with vocational/physical activity

• sanctioning by others

• temporalising of symptomology

• interpersonal crisis

define biopsychosocial model of health

interaction between all 3 factors

background determinants of health behaviour

characteristics that define the context in which people live their lives

stable determinants of health behaviour

individual differences in psychological activity that are stable over time and context

social determinants of health behaviour

social connections in immediate environment

situational determinants of health behaviour

appraisal of personal relevance that shape responses in specific situation

types of individual differences in health

• emotional disposition (present)

• generalised expectancies (future)

• explanatory styles (past)

5 traits that determine emotional dispositions

• openness

• conscientiousness

• extroversion

• agreeableness

• neuroticism

define locus of control

expectations that future outcomes will be determined by factors that are either internal (more favourable health outcomes) or external

define self-efficacy

belief in one’s own ability to organise and execute a course of action + the expectation that the action will lead to a desired outcome

2 things that determine generalised expectancies

• locus of control

• self-efficacy

2 things that determine explanatory styles

• optimism vs. pessimism

• attributional style

define attributional style

causal explanations of negative events as internal, permanent, and global