Social Learning Theory and the Health Belief Model

Abstract

The Health Belief Model, social learning theory (recently relabelled social cognitive theory), self-efficacy, and locus of control have all been applied with varying success to problems of explaining, predicting, and influencing behavior. Yet, there is conceptual confusion among researchers and practitioners about the interrelationships of these theories and variables. This article attempts to show how these explanatory factors may be related, and in so doing, posits a revised explanatory model which incorporates self-efficacy into the Health Belief Model. Specifically, self-efficacy is proposed as a separate independent variable along with the traditional health belief variables of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers. Incentive to behave (health motivation) is also a component of the model. Locus of control is not included explicitly because it is believed to be incorporated within other elements of the model. It is predicted that the new formulation will more fully account for health-related behavior than did earlier formulations, and will suggest more effective behavioral interventions than have hitherto been available to health educators.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices about influenza illness and vaccination: a cross‐sectional survey in two South African communities

“…The findings can be interpreted within the Health Belief Model, a framework for relating factors that lead to change in health‐related behavior 25. Framing the severity of influenza as a health threat to individuals and household members who may be at higher risk, or relating the illness to lost wages due to missing work, may help communities understand the negative consequences in influenza infection.…”

Factors Associated With Older Patients' Engagement in Exercise After Hospital Discharge

“…25 Therefore 25 researchers need to understand the facilitators and barriers to engaging in exercise in the post 26 discharge period. Previous studies have concluded that older peoples' attitudes and beliefs 27 affect their adherence to falls prevention and other exercise programs 15-17, 20, 26 and therefore 28 should be measured together with other factors of interest. The Health Belief Model (HBM) 29 is a recognised health behavior model 27 that provides an empirically supported framework to 30 measure these factors and has been used previously to understand older peoples' awareness 31 and self perceived risk of falls and falls injuries.…”

“…Previous studies have concluded that older peoples' attitudes and beliefs 27 affect their adherence to falls prevention and other exercise programs 15-17, 20, 26 and therefore 28 should be measured together with other factors of interest. The Health Belief Model (HBM) 29 is a recognised health behavior model 27 that provides an empirically supported framework to 30 measure these factors and has been used previously to understand older peoples' awareness 31 and self perceived risk of falls and falls injuries. 28,29 The HBM conceptualises that a person 32 will engage in protective health behavior if they: i) perceive they are at risk of contracting a 33 negative health condition; ii) perceive that its consequences will be severe enough to 34 adversely affect their health; iii) consider that the benefits of engaging in the health behavior 35 outweigh the costs of undertaking it; iv) receive a cue to engage in the behavior.…”

“…Additionally 36 the person requires self efficacy to engage in the action. 27 The aim of this study was to 37 explore and identify factors that are associated with engagement in a structured exercise 38 program in the 6 months following discharge from hospital. The study also aimed to identify 39 older patients' self-perceived barriers to engagement in exercise during this period.…”

“…15,16,25,26 The HBM theorises that 290 health providers should explore older peoples' attitudes and beliefs about their risk of falls to 291 aid in providing tailored education that alerts older people to the risk of falls, provides 292 information about the potential benefits of engaging in exercise and aids in development of 293 self efficacy to engage in exercise. 27 Additionally about one third of participants who were 294 not exercising identified medical barriers to exercise such as pain, even at 6 months after 295 discharge. Medical problems have been described as barriers to engaging in falls prevention 296 programs and physical activity in general older populations.…”