Posted: November 12th, 2022

A model of interpersonal health behavior

Discussion Question
1 page, APA7, 2 references (peer reviewed journals)

Select and describe a model of interpersonal health behavior. What are the key constructs or characteristics of this model? Describe an example from the research literature of how this model has been applied to a specific health behavior. Is there another interpersonal model or theory that could also be appropriate for the health behavior described in your example? Why or why not?

Resource: Theory Guide- Choose The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) for this discussion
http://www.sbccimplementationkits.org/demandrmnch/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Theory-at-a-Glance-A-Guide-For-Health-Promotion-Practice.pdf
Class, here is a resource that I used throughout graduate school that I found beneficial. It is a short guide to theories within health promotion. It does not have all of the theories we have studied so far, but it does a great job summarizing theories and providing examples! I’ll admit, it is difficult to remember all of the theories and all of their constructs, so having quick guides handy such as this can be useful!

-Professor D

Sample
Based on cognitive personal factors, environmental factors, and behavioral factors, the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is used to identify what drives a person’s behavior (Kelder, Hoelscher, & Perry, 2015). Knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, beliefs, and expectations are examples of cognitive factors (Kelder, Hoelscher, & Perry, 2015). Social norms, observed learning, access or barriers, and the influence and ability to change one’s own environment are examples of environmental factors (Kelder, Hoelscher, & Perry, 2015). Skills, intentions, and reinforcement with punishment are the behavioral factors (Kelder, Hoelscher, & Perry, 2015).
Using the SCT, a specific health behavior is unhealthy eating, and the behavior is changed to eating healthy. Self-efficacy and confidence in oneself that one can eat healthier, lower-sugar foods are cognitive influences on healthy eating. Opportunities for change could include raising awareness about the benefits of eating healthy and the consequences of eating high sugar diets, such as the diseases they can cause. Environmental influences include the fact that all members of one’s household consume unhealthy foods, and sugary foods are abundant, and this is all that is available and known. Opportunities for change could include the motivation that avoiding sugary foods reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease, resulting in a desire to change. Knowing what skills are required to eat healthy is one of the behavioral influences. Setting goals, cooking healthy foods, and avoiding unhealthy, high-sugar foods are all potential avenues for change.

The Social Support concept and the Direct Effect Model are two other interpersonal models that could be used to address the issue of unhealthy eating. This method connects social support and relationships, as well as the direct and indirect effects they have on behavior (Holt-Lunstad & Uchino, 2015). For example, if a person’s household members are not supportive of one’s decision to eat a healthy low sugar diet, that person will lack the social support needed to succeed and will give up.
References
Holt-Lunstad, J., & Uchino, B. N. (2015). Health behavior : Theory, Research, and Practice. Social Support and Health (5th ed.) (p. 314). Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-1-118-62900-0 (epub). https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781118629000/epub/OPS/c10.html#page_314
Kelder, S. H., Hoelscher, D., & Perry, C. L. (2015). Health behavior : Theory, Research, and Practice. How Individuals, Environments, and Health Behaviors Interact (5th ed.) (p. 275). Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-1-118-62900-0 (epub). https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781118629000/epub/OPS/c09.html#page_275

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