Health Behavior Theories - Lecture Notes

Health behavior theories focus on individual-level applications to change behavior.
These theories assume individuals have volition and free will over their actions.
The socioecological model suggests individual control is influenced by larger social forces.
Individual theories see actions and lifestyles as results of individual decisions.
Individual theories posit that behaviors like alcohol consumption are determined on an individual level.

Early explanations for health outcomes were religious-based due to lack of scientific knowledge.
With the advent of medical science, theories focused more on individual behavior.
The focus shifted from supernatural explanations to individual-based explanations due to medical and scientific advancements.
In the 1950s and 1960s, research considered policies and national trends, incorporating the ecological model.
Cholera was initially attributed to evil spirits until microscopes revealed the bacteria in contaminated water.
Connecting health outcomes with individual or systematic effects is increasingly possible.

Altering individual behavior is more efficient than fixing macro-level issues.
Awareness programs to reduce processed food consumption are more feasible than changing the food industry.
It's more practical to encourage physical activity and medication adherence than to alter financial situations.

The socioecological model is a broad theory explaining policy and macro-level impacts on individual behavior.
The health belief model is a foundational theory focused on individual behavior.
It emphasizes self-determination and getting individuals to change their behavior.

Addresses why individuals act in beneficial or detrimental ways to their health.
Aims to develop theory-based interventions that promote beneficial behaviors or reduce detrimental ones.
Tackles the question of whether humans are Pavlovian (reacting to stimuli) or make rational choices.

The Pavlovian theory suggests humans react to environmental stimuli with patterned associations.
Example: a dog associates a bell with feeding time and reacts even without food.
The health belief model incorporates rational choice, focusing on an individual's ability to make choices instead of merely reacting to stimuli.
For example, an individual with an alcohol problem can choose not to drink despite environmental triggers like passing a liquor store.
The individual has power over choices for many lifestyle and health issues.

Modifying factors control our decision-making and perception development.
Example: A young, unmarried male may engage in risky behaviors due to a low perceived susceptibility to bad outcomes.

Young people often have a sense of invincibility, affecting their perceptions of disease and health risks.
Modifying factors influence individual beliefs which, in turn, affect behavior.
Demographic and socio-psychological variables play a crucial role.
Low health knowledge, low income, risk-taking personality, and peer pressure can lead to unhealthy behaviors.

Modifying factors impact perceptions and beliefs about health.
Individual beliefs are a function of background demographic variables, especially age.

Consider which modifying factors have the most powerful impact on individual behavior.
Age and gender may have the most significant impact.
Younger people tend to have a higher sense of invincibility.
Data from auto insurance companies show higher rates for young males due to increased risk-taking behavior.

Using the model to develop research plans and interventions for distracted driving.
Texting and driving is a public health concern due to crashes caused by distracted driving.

Age: Younger people are more likely to engage with their phones while driving.
Gender: May play a role.
Race/Ethnicity: Unclear if these play a significant role.
Marital Status/Parental Status: Those with children may be less likely to take risks while driving.
Education: Knowledge of crash data can impact perceived self-efficacy.
Peer Pressure/Personality: Influence behavior.

Beliefs about threat and how to counter it.
Beliefs about barriers and benefits.
Lack of barriers to not texting while driving; benefits outweigh responding to messages immediately.

Heroin cessation is more difficult due to the drug's addictive nature and physiological component.
Cell phone usage has a psychological component, but is less severe than drug addiction.

Modifying factors play a more significant role.
All demographic factors are influential.
Income and wealth are crucial; resources can enable access to necessary help.
Limited resources may lower self-efficacy and the belief in the ability to change behavior.
Lack of resources (financial, education) impacts actions.
Barriers to heroin cessation are more significant and often physiological.
Peer pressure can either strengthen or weaken barriers.

Individual behavior is a product of individual beliefs.
The strength or weakness of those beliefs is impacted by background factors (ascribed or achieved).