Health Psychology: Theories, Models, and Behaviors

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the key theories, models, and concepts of health psychology including biopsychosocial models, motivation theories, stage models, and epidemiological indicators.

Biomedical Model

A 19th and 20th-century framework that views illness as the result of biological abnormalities, comparing the human body to a machine and focusing on physical causes measured objectively.

Bio-psycho-social Model

A model proposed by George L. Engel in $1977$ stating that health and illness result from the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Eco-bio-psycho-social Model

An extension of the biopsychosocial model that includes the influence of the natural and built environment on health, such as air quality and climate.

Hazard Ratio (HR)

A statistical tool in longitudinal studies where $HR = 1.0$ indicates equal risk, $HR > 1.0$ indicates increased risk, and $HR < 1.0$ indicates a protective effect.

Salutogenesis

An approach focused on what keeps people healthy, emphasizing a person's ability to use resources and cope with life stressors via a Health continuum.

Sense of Coherence (SOC)

A concept in Salutogenesis comprised of three components: Comprehensibility (Cognitive), Manageability (Behavioural), and Meaningfulness (Motivational).

Pathogenesis

The study of what causes disease and why people become sick.

Health Hierarchy Hypothesis

The idea that health depends on income inequality within society; large inequality leads to less trust and worse health outcomes.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

A motivation theory based on three basic needs: Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness.

Internal Locus of Control

The general belief that one's own actions influence outcomes and health, associated with better adherence and self-care.

Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC)

A scale developed by Wallston that distinguishes between Internal, Powerful Others (e.g., doctors), and Chance as beliefs about what controls health.

Attribution Theory

A framework describing how people explain the causes of events based on Locus (Internal/External), Stability (Stable/Unstable), and Controllability.

Learned Helplessness

A state identified by Martin Seligman where repeated uncontrollable failures lead to passivity, reduced motivation, and depression.

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)

Albert Bandura's theory that people learn through experience and observation, emphasizing the continuous interaction between the person, environment, and behaviour.

Self-efficacy

The belief in one's capability to successfully perform a specific behaviour; it is considered one of the strongest predictors of health behaviour.

Reciprocal Determination

The concept that personal factors, environment, and behaviour all continuously influence each other.

Health Belief Model (HBM)

A model suggesting health behaviours depend on perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers, plus cues to action and self-efficacy.

Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)

A theory stating the strongest predictor of behaviour is behavioral intention, which is influenced by Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Perceived Behavioural Control.

Transtheoretical Model (TTM)

A stage model describing behaviour change through six stages: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance, and Termination.

Health Action Process Approach (HAPA)

A model that addresses the intention-behaviour gap by dividing the process into a Motivational phase (forming intention) and a Volitional phase (action).

COM-B Model

A framework stating that Behaviour results from the interaction of Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation.

Cognitive-Behavioural Approach (CBT)

An intervention strategy based on the idea that thoughts influence emotions and behaviour; it involves cognitive restructuring and behavioural techniques.

Abstinence Violation Effect (AVE)

A negative emotional and cognitive reaction after a lapse characterized by guilt, shame, and a loss of self-efficacy.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

A collaborative, person-centered counselling approach using OARS skills (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, Summaries) to evoke change talk.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Chronic, non-contagious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes that cause $74.00\%$ of deaths worldwide.

Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY)

A measure of the total burden of disease calculated as $DALY = YLL \times YLD$, where YLL is Years of Life Lost and YLD is Years Lived with Disability.

Social Causation Theory

The theory that low socioeconomic status causes poor health due to increased stress and limited resources.

Social Drift Theory

Also known as Health Selection, this theory posits that poor health causes downward social mobility into lower socioeconomic status.

Intersectionality

The concept that health is influenced by multiple interacting identities, such as gender, race, sexuality, and social class.

Prevalence

The total number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a given time.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease that develop over a specific period.

Comorbidity

The condition of having two or more diseases at the same time, such as diabetes and depression.