Health promotion is supported by various theories. The theories include the social cognitive, the theory of reasoned action, stages of change and the health belief model. The theories explain health promotion or health education concept in a precise manner (Kim et al.311).
Social learning theory
Social learning theory advocates for a positive behavior change. The theory proposes that behaviors can be acquired by observing and copying others. It stipulates that learning is a type of cognitive process. The cognitive process takes place purely by observing or imitating other people. Additionally, observation of behavior can also occur through punishment and is named as vicarious reinforcement. The scholars stated that when a particular behavior is rewarded regularly, the behavior will usually persist. On the other hand, when the behavior is constantly punished it will usually desist committing the acts. The theory is important in health promotion programs (Kim et al.311).
The social learning theory has incorporated the behavior and cognitive theories of learning. The incorporation is necessary to give out a comprehensive model that explain various learning experiences. The theory is founded in traditional learning theory. Moreover, it encompasses motivation and attention. Recent studies have added a social element to the definition of the theory. The scholars argued that people can learn by observing other people. The theory is important in health education as people can be motivated to change bad behaviors and adopt healthy behaviors.
The guiding principles of the social learning have been argued by scholars and arrived at a conclusion that it operates in the same manner throughout one's life. The scholars also agreed that people learn by modeling, observing and imitating others. Learning can occur without any significant change in behavior. The prime purpose of learning is to be reflected by a permanent change in the behavior.
Categorization of social learning theory
The categorized social learning theory indicates that behavior is learned through modeling. The scholar (Newman et al. 477) stated that the second and third stages of the behavioral model theory occur when an individual observes positively what they desire. The positive outcome that the individual observes is the good factor responsible for positive learning outcome. Various studies have confirmed that behavior is learned through modeling. The positive behavior learned is good in dictating or promoting an excellent health promotion program.
Moreover, the intrinsic reinforcement theory supports the social learning theory. According to the framers of the theory, there is an internal reward that fosters a positive satisfaction. The sense of positive satisfaction cultivates a need of repeating the same action. According to (Kim et al.311) the theory emphasizes much on a need of cognitive internal thoughts and critical thinking.
In the stages of change theory, the individual's ability to change is dependent on the position the individuals are within the model. The scholars explaining the model identified the five stages of change and start with the pre-contemplation, contemplation, decision, action, and maintenance. The stages are vital for all the health promotion programs that are advocating, for example, smoking cessation programs (Kim et al.311).
HEALTH BELIEF MODEL.
The theory of health promotion is a type of psychological health behavior model that predicts and explain health-related behaviors. The model was developed in the 1950s by a team of psychologist inform the US public health service. The framers of the model stipulate that people’s beliefs about the health status, self-efficacy and the perceived significance of action explain the type of engagement in promoting healthy behavior change. The affinity to act must be an essential ingredient in initiating health-promoting behavior. The theory has been helpful in predicting health-related behaviors outcomes which is vital for early diagnosis of many types of terminal conditions like cancers or diabetes. The model is significant in defining the critical factors that influence health behaviors (Tola et al).
The model has four elements of perceptions that entail the perceived seriousness, perceived benefits, perceived susceptibility, and the perceived barriers. The four constructs model explaining the health belief model all work in combination. The recent advancement has led to the addition of self-efficacy, motivating factors and cues to action to the constructs that is explaining the health belief model in a broader view.
Perceived susceptibility
The perceived susceptibility construct is significant in motivating individuals to adopt healthier behaviors. The individuals who perceive that they are at a higher risk of acquiring an infection are more likely to engage in behaviors that decrease the risk.
Perceived barriers
The change in the behavior of a person is much dependent on one's belief on the obstacles that the individual faces in the process of change. The perceived barriers concept in health promotion is necessary to help individuals to effectively simulate the process or expectation of the change.
Perceived severity
The perceived seriousness construct deals explicitly on explaining the individual's perception of seriousness. The seriousness can be that of an infection or a disease that is very severe. The perception of seriousness is not only on the available medical information but moreover, it can be due to the belief of a complex scenario that the disease can create.
Cues to Action
The strategy of cues to action focuses much on strategies to change. It focuses much on readiness to change, how to promote awareness, provide reminders and how to provide information. It is important that awareness is created in order to prevent health risks the would otherwise be averted by awareness programs.
Perceived cost-benefit analysis
The perceived benefit construct of health belief model relies majorly on one's opinion of preferring the essence of adopting a new behavior so as to reduce the negative impacts of a disease or a certain condition. The construct is significant in the adoption of secondary intervention programs, for example, the screening programs.
The modifying variables is another essential factor in explaining the health belief model. The four constructs of health belief model are affected by other variables for example culture. The incorporation of the variables in explaining or applying the health belief model is crucial (Newman et al. 477).
Application of Cost-benefit analysis in health promotion
The health belief model has been used in various settings. To begin with, the health belief model has been used in HIV/AIDS prevention programs. The model is useful in HIV/AIDS program in the sense that various beliefs and perception about the disease is addressed as well as the conspiracies surrounding the disease. Since HIV/AIDS is precipitated by various behavioral factors it is, therefore, necessary to apply the health belief model (Newman et al. 477). The perceived benefit construct of the health belief model theory is important in installing positive behavior change. The preference of using a condom in the fear of an infection is one of the good practical cases of the health belief model. The model has made individual to outweigh the benefits over the risk before engaging in any behavior (Newman et al. 477).
Conclusion
Health promotion programs in any setting are not possible without the input of the theories of the health belief model. The health belief model and the social learning theory should be adopted by health institutions and the government. The awareness which is also an important aspect of the health promotion model should also be conducted aggressively to ensure effective campaigns and programs.
Works cited
Kim, Jin E., and Nolan Zane. "Help-seeking intentions among Asian American and White American students in psychological distress: Application of the health belief model." Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology 22.3 (2016): 311.
Newman, David J., and Gordon M. Cragg. "Natural products as sources of new drugs over the last 25 years." Journal of natural products 70.3 (2007): 461-477.
Tola, Habteyes Hailu, et al. "Psychological and educational intervention to improve tuberculosis treatment adherence in Ethiopia based on the health belief model: a cluster randomized control trial." PLoS One 11.5 (2016): e0155147.
