HBM description
The Health Belief Model is a psychological model that attempts to explain and predict health behaviors. This model determined by focusing on attitudes and beliefs of individuals. It's the most commonly used theory in health education and health promotion (University of Twente, 2014).
The HBM , based in a socio-cognitive perspective, was originally developed in the 1950s by social psychologists to explain the failure of some individuals to use preventative health behaviors for early detection of diseases, patient response to symptoms, and medical compliance. The theory hypothesizes that people are likely to engage in a given health-related behavior to the extent that they (a) perceive that they could contract the illness or be susceptible to the problem (perceived susceptibility); (b) believe that the problem has serious consequences or will interfere with their daily functioning (perceived severity); (c) believe that the intervention or preventative action will be effective in reducing symptoms (perceived benefits); and (d) perceive few barriers to taking action (perceived barriers). All four variables are thought to be influenced by demographic variables such as race, age, and socioeconomic status. A fifth original factor, cues to action, is frequently neglected in studies of the HBM, but nevertheless provides an important social factor related to mental health care utilization. Cues to action are incidents serving as a reminder of the severity or threat of an illness. These may include personal experiences of symptoms, such as noticing the changing shape of a mole that triggers an individual to consider his or her risk of skin cancer, or external cues, such as a conversation initiated by a physician about smoking cessation. In addition, added components of social cognitive theory to the HBM. They proposed that one’s expectation about the ability to influence outcomes (self-efficacy) is an important component in understanding health behavior outcomes. Thus, believing one is capable of quitting smoking (efficacy expectation) is as crucial in determining whether the person will actually quit as knowing the individual’s perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers (Henshaw & Freedman-Doan, 2009).
(http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/theory%20clusters/health%20communication/health_belief_model/)
(http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-2850.2009.01181.x/full)
The HBM , based in a socio-cognitive perspective, was originally developed in the 1950s by social psychologists to explain the failure of some individuals to use preventative health behaviors for early detection of diseases, patient response to symptoms, and medical compliance. The theory hypothesizes that people are likely to engage in a given health-related behavior to the extent that they (a) perceive that they could contract the illness or be susceptible to the problem (perceived susceptibility); (b) believe that the problem has serious consequences or will interfere with their daily functioning (perceived severity); (c) believe that the intervention or preventative action will be effective in reducing symptoms (perceived benefits); and (d) perceive few barriers to taking action (perceived barriers). All four variables are thought to be influenced by demographic variables such as race, age, and socioeconomic status. A fifth original factor, cues to action, is frequently neglected in studies of the HBM, but nevertheless provides an important social factor related to mental health care utilization. Cues to action are incidents serving as a reminder of the severity or threat of an illness. These may include personal experiences of symptoms, such as noticing the changing shape of a mole that triggers an individual to consider his or her risk of skin cancer, or external cues, such as a conversation initiated by a physician about smoking cessation. In addition, added components of social cognitive theory to the HBM. They proposed that one’s expectation about the ability to influence outcomes (self-efficacy) is an important component in understanding health behavior outcomes. Thus, believing one is capable of quitting smoking (efficacy expectation) is as crucial in determining whether the person will actually quit as knowing the individual’s perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers (Henshaw & Freedman-Doan, 2009).
(http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/theory%20clusters/health%20communication/health_belief_model/)
(http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-2850.2009.01181.x/full)
HBM constructs
Perceived Susceptibility: Individuals' assessment of his or her changes of getting the disease.
-Example: People will be more likely to use sunscreen when they think there chances of getting sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer, is high.
-Example: People will be more likely to use sunscreen when they think there chances of getting sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer, is high.
Perceived Benefits: Individuals' conclusion as to whether the new behavior is better than what he or she is already doing.
-Example: When people perceive the after effects of exercising as beneficial, such as losing weight increasing there self-esteem, they are more likely to go through with the behavior.
-Example: When people perceive the after effects of exercising as beneficial, such as losing weight increasing there self-esteem, they are more likely to go through with the behavior.
Perceived Barriers: Individuals' opinion as to what will stop them from adopting the new behavior.
-Example: If a woman were to believe that getting a mammogram would be painful, the more likely she will keep from getting breast examinations.
-Example: If a woman were to believe that getting a mammogram would be painful, the more likely she will keep from getting breast examinations.
Perceived Seriousness/Severity: Individuals' judgement as to the severity of the disease.
-Example: "The degree of seriousness may be judged both by the degree of emotional arousal created by the thought of a disease as well as by the kinds of difficulties the individual believes a given health condition will create for him". Hence in the HBM, fear/worry forms part of perceived severity and consequently also forms part of the motivation to act. When talking about the topic of safe sex, youth may believe that the consequences of getting STI's are significant enough to avoid.
-Example: "The degree of seriousness may be judged both by the degree of emotional arousal created by the thought of a disease as well as by the kinds of difficulties the individual believes a given health condition will create for him". Hence in the HBM, fear/worry forms part of perceived severity and consequently also forms part of the motivation to act. When talking about the topic of safe sex, youth may believe that the consequences of getting STI's are significant enough to avoid.
Modifying Variables: Individuals' personal factors that affect whether new behavior is adopted.
-Example:
-Example:
Cues to Action: Those factors that will start a person on the way to changing behavior.
-Example: Women may hear about breast cancer screenings through social marketing, and it could get them thinking about receiving a mammogram.
-Example: Women may hear about breast cancer screenings through social marketing, and it could get them thinking about receiving a mammogram.
Self-Efficacy: Personal belief in one's ability to do something (University of Twente).
-Example: If people believe they have the ability to protect themselves from HIV through using condoms during sexual intercourse, they are more likely to use a condom.
-Example: If people believe they have the ability to protect themselves from HIV through using condoms during sexual intercourse, they are more likely to use a condom.