1. The Social-Ecological Model
Unit 3
Area of Study 1
Chapter 2

2. Why use the social-ecological model?
The social-ecological model helps to identify opportunities to promote participation in physical activity by recognising the multiple factors that influence an individual’s behaviour. Efforts to change behaviour are more likely to be successful when the multiple levels of influence are addressed at the same time.

3. Socio-ecology : the study of how social structure is influenced by an organism’s environment

4. There are four components that influence the social-ecological model
The Individual
Social Environment (interpersonal) Factors
Physical Environment
Organisational and Policy Change

5. The Individual (Intrapersonal) Factors
The individual is at the centre of the social-ecological model. This level includes personal factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of an individual being physically active. Individual factors which influence physical activity participation include…
Attitudes
Behavious
Self-concept
Behavioural skills (goal setting)
Knowledge (advantages of being active)

6. Intervention strategies at the Individual (Intrapersonal) level
Strategies which bring change at the individual level tend to focus on changing an individual’s knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and skills.
Intervention Strategies
Educational programmes
Support groups
Organisational incentives directed at individuals
Counselling
Targeting individuals through mass media to help them consider being more active

7. Social Environment (Interpersonal) Factors
The social environment comprises the relationships, the culture and the society with whom the individual interacts. The social environment has a significant influence on physical activity behaviour. For example, having someone such as a peer, family member or work colleague to be physically active with can impact on physical activity behaviour. The social environment includes…
Family
Peers
Cultural background
What is ‘normal’ in the community
Institutions (schools, organisations, workplaces)
Socio-Economic Status (SES)

8. Learning Activity
Outline three examples of Social Environment (Interpersonal) factors that negatively influence your activity levels
Now think of a strategy that will bring about change at the Social Environment (Interpersonal) level for each of these

9. Intervention strategies at the Social Environment (Interpersonal) level
Strategies which bring change at the social environment level include…
Community education
Support groups
Peer programs
Workplace incentives
Social marketing campaigns
These are all always of promoting positive community attitudes and awareness to participation in physical activity.

10. Physical Environment
Physical environment includes the natural environment and the built (or man-made) environment.
Physical environments can have a positive or negative influence on the amount and type of physical activity
Ovals, swimming pools and pathways are designed to encourage PA
However an office building is not necessarily an environment wher people would want to participate in PA
The Natural Environment
The Built Environment
Grasslands and Parklands
Ovals
Beaches
Swimming Pools
Lakes
Office Building
Rivers
Pathways and boardwalks

11. Learning Activity
Outline three examples of Physical Environment factors that negatively influence your activity levels or people in your community
Now think of a strategy that will bring about change at the Physical Environment level for each of these

12. Intervention strategies at the Physical Environment level
Improved accessibility, e.g. Introducing ramps or smooth surfaces so that people using wheelchairs can access the area safely.
New recreational or sporting facilities may be built close to a school, community shopping centre or aged care facility to ensure they are accessible to specific target groups.
Traffic calming to increase safety for pedestrians may be introduced around school areas in order to encourage more children to walk or ride bicycles to school.

13. Organisational and Policy Change
Organisational factors are characteristics of social institutions, this includes rules (formail & informal), regulations, guidelines and governance of operation.
Organisational factors often restrict the opportunity for physical activity.
Learning Activity
Read Pg 62; Paragraph 2
of the text

14. Intervention strategies at the Organisational and Policy Change level
Organisational Intervention Strategies
Creating incentives for people to be active
Making changes to staff benefits (subsidied gym memberships
Making changes to the structure of the day (extended breaks)
Promote group activities (walk-to-school/work)
Create links with health-enhancing organisations (arrange discount memberships)
Policy Intervention Strategies
Paying workers more if they use a gym
Mandated time allocation that every student must receive 100 mins PE and 100 mins Sport Ed each week (State policy)
40km/hr speed linit around all schools (State law)

15. Bringing it all back together