Theories of Health Behaviour (Term Paper Sample)

Theories of Health Behaviour Name Institutional Affiliation Date Abstract Researchers and experts use different theoretical models to explain and study patterns of human behaviour. These models help in the identification of issues and factors that motivate and influence people to behave in a particular manner. This paper explores reviews literature related to the Health Belief Model and the Protection Motivation Theory and discusses how they help in reducing stress and improving the health and well-being of university students. Based on information and data collected from peer-reviewed journals and scientific books, the paper argues that the two models can help manage stress, improve the effectiveness of depression management interventions and deal with stress-related medical complication among university students. Theories of Health Behaviour Introduction In behavioural studies and medicine, practitioners base their work and interventions on models that explain the relationship between behaviour and health. Some of the theories that professionals use to account for the link between human behaviour and health are the health belief model, the theory of reasoned action, protection motivation theory, self-efficacy theory, and the Transtheoretical model (Burton, Westen & Kowalski, 2015). Although such frameworks help experts and practitioners understand human actions and behavioural patterns, some critics argue that they have a narrow focus on the outcomes of specific behaviours and neglect other features that influence people's health (Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2011). Despite this being the case, the theoretical models continue to play a significant role in the management of various behavioural maladies and issues that affect human health and wellbeing. This paper reviews the Health Belief Model and the Protection Motivation Theory and discusses how they help in reducing stress and improving the health and wellbeing of university students. Health Belief Model The Health Belief Model (HBM) argues that people take health-oriented actions under the influence of six primary beliefs and factors (Carpenter, 2010; Orji, Vassileva & Mandryk, 2012). The first idea is perceived susceptibility which refers to a person’s risk of developing health problems. HBM states that if people believe that they are in danger of developing a health issue, they will engage in behaviours that reduce the risk of that particular health concern (Kim, Ahn & No, 2012). The second construct is perceived severity that talks about the degree of severity of a particular health problem and its impacts. People who believe that a health issue can bring serious consequences will change to reduce the seriousness of the problem. The third element is perceived benefits that refer to a person’s assessment of the efficacy and value of taking part in a health promoting action and behaviour to reduce the risk of a disease. The fourth element, which is perceived barriers, refers to a person’s assessment of obstacles that prevent behaviour change. The fifth element is the cue to action which relates to triggers that prompt engagement in particular health promoting behaviour. The final construct is perceived efficacy which refers to a person's confidence in his or her ability to engage in health promoting activities. Human belief model can help in the management of stress among university students. According to Polenick and Flora (2013), depression is a major public health issue that can have devastating consequences on individuals and the community as a whole. The author adds that behavioural models help in predicting behaviours that reduce the risk of suffering from stress. A recent study by Castonguay, Filer, and Pitts (2016) underscored the effectiveness of the Human Belief Model in the management of depression. In the study, the researchers analysed responses from individuals seeking treatment in various healthcare facilities within the context of Human Belief Model. The analysis entailed the identification of standard views and thematic coding. The findings showed that uncertainty about depressions drives people to seek help about their conditions. Furthermore, Castonguay, Filer, and Pitts (2016) argued that the significant barrier to seeking help was fear of the unknown. Finally, depressed individuals used interpersonal cues to action to reduce uncertainty and minimise the impact of the condition on their health and wellbeing. The HBM model can further help in improving the health and wellbeing of university students by guiding the development and implementation of depression management interventions and reducing the severity of stress. According to Jones, Smith&Llewellyn (2013), the inability to adhere to health-promoting advice is one of the major challenges that hinder the effective management and prevention of health conditions. A systematic review by Jones, Smithand Llewellyn (2013) reported that the utilisation of HBM leads to significant improvements in adherence to health-promoting interventions and advice. The authors concluded that the adoption of the model could result in positive health outcomes. Consequently, the use of the model in stress management interventions can result in adherence to advice and positive health outcomes. Counsellors play an integral part in stress management among university students. Furthermore, the use different interventions and approaches such as group therapy to help students manage stress. Such interventions can be more effective if they include elements and constructs of HBM. A systematic review by Painter et al. (2008) revealed that interventions that use HBM as the underlying theoretical framework are more efficient that those without the model. Other researchers have shown that the model improves the management of health problems by ensuring a better understanding of various health behaviours, including stress (Keller et al., 2012; Kim, Ahn & No, 2012). Thus, its inclusion in depression management interventions will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of university students. Protection Motivation Theory Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) is a theoretical model created to clarify why human beings respond to healthcare threat information that arouses fear (Plotnikoff & Trinh, 2010). According to the theory, people defend themselves as a result of four main factors. These are the perceived severity of threatening events, perceived likelihood of occurrence, perceived self-efficacy and perceived efficacy of a recommended preventive behaviour. The four factors and pillars of PMT have received significant empirical attention in the research circles. In such studies, the primary argument is that people feel motivated to protect themselves to the degree to which they believe that a particular threat will continue affecting their health and wellbeing and cause negative consequences and that the recommended actions are plausible and can reduce the severity of the said threat. In such circumstances, people tend to take the necessary steps that will prevent the health or medical condition from becoming worse and affecting their health and wellbeing. There is compelling research evidence in support of the effectiveness of Protection Motivation Theory in the management of psychiatric condition such as depression that affect college students. According to Xu and Chen (2016), PMT offers a solid conceptual framework that influences decision-making process and contributes to behavioural change. Since depression is a medical threat that can negatively impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals and groups, PMT can help caregivers explore maladaptive behaviours and determine factors that can motivate students to change to reduce the severity of the condition. Those who perceive depression as a threat are likely to participate in behaviour change and minimise the impact of the disease on their health and wellbeing. Other studies have shown that PMT is a good predictor of the intention of people to stick to treatment regimens. Since some students seek help from qualified practitioners when suffering from stress and related depressive disorders, it is imperative to determine whether they will adhere to treatment or not. Thus, PMT contributes to the efficient management of depression. PMT can help improve the health and wellbeing of students by managing some of the negative outcomes and health problems associated with stress. According to Bukhsh, Shahzad and Nisa (2011), stress can prevent university students from enjoying and focusing on learning. The accumulation of stress can lead to anxiety, frustration, substance abuse, violence, antisocial behaviour, and attention deficit disorder. Studies exploring the management of such medical and lifestyle problems have highlighted the effectiveness of PMT in promoting the health and wellbeing of human beings around the globe. A study by Xu and Chen (2016) revealed that PMT could help predict smoking behaviour and...