Models (Exam Pt.4)

Social ecological perspective - our health is produced through a variety of levels; individual’s family members and friends, social networks, neighborhoods and cities, countries, global influence

Life course - our health is produced throughout the sequential phases of our life

Theory - systematic way of understanding situations; set of concepts that predict events by illustrating relationships between variables; generalizable

• Ask why, what, how to address health problems

Explanatory theories - understand why patterns of health in populations change over time, and they differ from patterns of other populations

Change theory - suggest how to develop more effective ways to improve the health of individuals and communities

Deficits model - identifies problems and needs of a population that requires professional resources; negative outlook

Asset model - accentuates positive capability to identify problem; looks for resources that have factors that support human health and well-being

Biopsychosocial model - includes psychosocial dimensions with biological aspects of health and illness

• Ex: substance-use research

  • Investigations assess how genetic presdispositions (biological), stress levels (psychological), and peer influence (social), contribute to substance use disorders

Life course theory - health status at any given age reflects not only current conditions but the embodiment of prior living circumstances

• Links biological and social factors

Accumulation of risk models - exposures gradually built up in our bodies through episodes of illness

• Cumulative exposures or shock occurring throughout life course

Chain of risk models - sequence of linked exposures that raise risk or reduce risk because one experience or exposure tends to lead to another and then another

• Domino-like sequence

Critical period model - suggests certain exposures occurring at a critical developmental moment can strongly influence future health outcomes

Sensitive periods - when exposure has a greater impact than in other time periods

Social ecological model - emphasizes multiple levels of influence and the core concept that health is shaped by and also shapes our social environment

1. Individual level

   1. Attitude, beliefs

2. Interpersonal

   1. Family, friends

3. Community

   1. School, church, work

4. Organizational

   1. Local politics

5. Environmental

   1. Cultural values

   2. Societal norms