Health Beliefs and Health Behaviors - Chapter 2

Vocabulary flashcards covering key health beliefs, behaviors, theories, and models from the notes.

Health behaviors

Behaviors that influence health status; actions aimed at preventing disease and maintaining health (Kasl & Cobb, 1966).

Illness behaviors

Behaviors aimed at seeking remedies or relief when ill.

Sick role behaviors

Behaviors associated with the social expectations of being sick and getting well.

Health-Impairing Habits

Behavioral pathogens; habits that harm health (Matarazzo, 1984).

Health Protective Behaviors

Behavioral immunogens; actions that protect health and prevent illness.

Behavioral immunogens

Health-protective behaviors that reduce disease risk.

Behavioral pathogens

Health-impairing habits that increase disease risk.

Belloc and Breslow seven health behaviors

Seven behaviors linked to better health: 7–8 hours sleep, daily breakfast, not smoking, rarely eating between meals, near/prescribed weight, moderate or no alcohol, regular exercise.

Mokdad et al. 2004 mortality-related behaviors

Behaviors linked to higher mortality: smoking; excessive alcohol use; physical inactivity; insufficient fruit/vegetables (5+ servings).

Weg 1983 longevity factors

Genetics; vigorous work habits; diet low in saturated fat; no alcohol or nicotine; high social support; low stress.

Attribution Theory

Theory (Kelley, 1971) that people explain causes of events along specific dimensions, influencing motivation and behavior.

Internal health locus of control

Belief that health outcomes are determined by one’s own actions.

External health locus of control

Belief that health outcomes are determined by external forces (fate, luck, others).

Stable vs Unstable (attribution dimension)

Stable: causes persist over time; Unstable: causes vary across time.

Global vs Specific (attribution dimension)

Global: broad, general causes; Specific: a single, particular cause.

Controllable vs Uncontrollable (attribution dimension)

Controllable: under personal control; Uncontrollable: not under personal control.

Distinctiveness

Cause of a behavior is specific to the particular situation or person.

Consensus

Whether others share the same causal attribution for the behavior.

Temporal consistency

The attribution remains the same across different times.

Modality consistency

The attribution remains valid across different situations or modalities.

Unrealistic optimism

Belief that one is less at risk than others; Weinstein (1983) cites several contributing factors (e.g., lack of experience, perceived preventability).

Risk perception

Perceived susceptibility to a health problem and its potential impact.

Risk compensation

Changing behavior in response to perceived risk, potentially offsetting safety measures.

Selective Focus

Tendency to focus on risk-reducing aspects while ignoring risk-increasing ones.

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation arising from internal rewards or personal satisfaction.

Extrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards or pressures.

Self-efficacy

Belief in one’s ability to make and sustain health-related changes.

Self-determination theory

Theory that motivation lies on a continuum from intrinsic to extrinsic; intrinsic motivation supports persistence.

Health Belief Model (HBM)

Model predicting health behavior from core beliefs: susceptibility, severity, costs, benefits, cues to action, health motivation, and perceived control.

Susceptibility

Perceived likelihood of contracting a illness or health problem.

Severity

Perceived seriousness of the illness if contracted.

Costs of carrying out the behavior

Perceived barriers or disadvantages of performing the health behavior.

Benefits of carrying out the behavior

Perceived gains from engaging in the health behavior.

Cues to action

Internal or external triggers that prompt health-related behavior.

Protection Motivation Theory (PMT)

Extension of HBM incorporating emotional factors; predicts intentions via threat and coping appraisals.

Threat appraisal

Assessment of severity, susceptibility, and fear regarding a health threat.

Coping appraisal

Assessment of response efficacy and self-efficacy for managing a threat.

Adaptive vs Maladaptive response

Adaptive responses improve health; maladaptive responses hinder health or worsen outcomes.

Stages of Change (SOC)

Stage-based model (Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance) describing change processes.

Health Action Process Approach (HAPA)

Model with motivation and action stages: motivation involves self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and threat; action involves planning, social support, barriers, and resources.