Exam question on health promotion
1) Describe a number of studies or approaches to health
promotion?
2) Evaluate these studies or approaches
3) Identify an area of health prevention and suggest
how psychology can be
applied to improve the effectiveness of campaigns in this area?
Suggestions
1) Various approaches to health promotion would include
learning theory, a
consideration of social and emotional factors, and cognitive
factors.
Important models to consider would include the health belief
model and the
theory of reasoned action. You should also consider in your
answer beliefs
about ones personal control, for example locus of control and
self-efficacy.
You may wish to consider various methods of promotion, which
would include
fear-arousing warnings, the usefulness of providing information,
behavioural
methods, and wellness programmes at work or in the community.
2) There are many studies that support the health belief
model. For
example, people who get vaccinations, have regular dental visits,
take
cancer tests and exercise, etc. do believe that they are
susceptible to
health problems, are aware of the seriousness of the problems,
and also
appreciate the benefits of preventive action. The health
belief model does
not explain habits, such as tooth brushing. Another problem
is that it is
difficult to measure components such as perceived susceptibility
and
seriousness. The theory of reasoned action considers
behaviour as being
related to attitudes and intentions. A problem here is that
intentions do
not always lead to action. Also, the theory does not
explain the role of
prior experience. A problem with both of these models is
that they assume
people think about risks. Evidence in support of locus of
control would be
that cigarette smokers who believe they are capable of kicking
the habit
usually try, whereas others who do not believe they can give up
don't try.
3) You might want to consider aids as a specific target. A
major problem
here is that there are many misconceptions about HIV
transmission. Many
people believe that AIDS is a problem that only homosexuals and
drug users
are faced with. Some of the most successful health
promotion has been
directed at gays through the infrastructure provided by the gay
community.
There has been a dramatic change in behaviour as a result of
this. So you
would need to focus on an understanding of the problem, your
target
population, the misconception about the problem, how to educate
people about
AIDS, and then finally give specific advice that can be easily
understood
and followed.