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Six Core Constructs Of The Health Belief Model

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The Health Belief Model was developed in 1950 and continues to be one of the most widely used theories in health behavior research. The Health Belief Model was also used to explain why people did not take part in preventative or early detection programs. There are six core constructs of the Health Belief Model; perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. Perceived susceptibility refers to how likely a person believes they are to contract a condition or disease. Perceived severity is how server the person believes the illness to be. The combination of susceptibility and severity has been labeled as perceived threat. Perceived benefits are defined as the belief in how …show more content…

Some of the Health Belief Model’s strengths are: that it can be used alone or in conjunction with other models, it also gives us a good understanding about what beliefs or attitudes motivate a person’s behaviors. It also is a good tool to use in ending of detrimental behaviors and gaining of positive behaviors, the Health Belief Model also enhances self-control. The benefit of this model is that it helps us remember that people's health choices are based not only on rational thought but also on our emotions, normal day-to-day habits, social conditioning and personal preference. It opens our eyes to what might be more effective social teaching methods that promote healthy habits. Studies have indicated that the Health Belief Model has limited predictive ability in most health-related areas. The Health Belief Model doesn't work for health programs that cover a variety of information, because they are not necessarily action-oriented. For example, using the Health Belief Model for abstinence programs would not be a good choice, because there are many reasons one may refrain from sex like their religion, or because its their personal preference, instead of trying to avoid negative outcomes that could happen from having sex. This model is limited to health-risk behaviors, it does not give us a better understand of the impact the environmental, social and personal factors that could have on various health conditions. For example, a person’s belief may influence their decision to smoke, but it does not have an influence whether that person will develop lung cancer or not. The Health Belief Model helps health care practitioners develop educational and social awareness programs that can help promote a change in behavior, but does nothing to advance knowledge of how to treat various diseases or conditions once a person develops

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