20 Sep Health

The Health Belief Model is one of the most commonly used theories in health psychology to explain health behavior. According to this model, health behavior is determined by the personal beliefs or perceptions about a disease and strategies available to decrease its occurrence. Personal perception is also influenced by a wide variety of interpersonal factors which impact health behaviors.

As we know from our reading, there are four perceptions which serve as main constructs of the model: Perceived Seriousness, Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Benefits, and Perceived Barriers. Each of these perceptions either combined or individually can be used to explain health behaviors.

Now lets think about applying this model to your everyday life. For example, lets look at a common health related decision that is made on a year basis. In the US, many individuals each year choose to be vaccinated for the influenza virus while many others pass on being inoculated.  In thinking about yourself and this decision each year, please explain each of the 4 steps of the model in thinking about your decision making process in choosing to obtain the vaccine or not. Please think about each of the steps in the HBM and how it applies to you as you make a decision whether or not to be vaccinated.

Remember to take into consideration the ecological and community models and to think about regulations and policies regarding vaccinations, community factors and ease of access.