1. The Health Belief Model: An Overview
Leticia L Vance, MSN, Fnp-bc
Indiana Wesleyan University doctorate of nursing practice

2. The Health Belief Model: A Broad Summary
The Health Belief Model is a model which attempts to explain and predict health behaviors and patterns based in psychological theory.

3. The Health Belief Model: History and Development
Believed to be one of the first behavioral health theories
Developed in the 1950s by a group of social psychologists from the U.S. Public Health Service
Goal was to determine why so few people were participating in disease prevention and detection programs

4. The Health Belief Model: History and Development
First used after the failure of a free tuberculosis (TB) health screening to understand why it failed
Looks at the relationship between a person’s beliefs and their health behaviors

5. The Health Belief Model: Core Belief and Assumptions
Health-seeking behavior is influenced by a person’s perception of the potential health problem threat
Perception does not equate reality

6. The Health Belief Model: Methods and Validity
Primary method: Surveys
Likert
Multiple Choice Questionnaire Items
Validity
Based on the quality and reliability of the construct of the surveys

7. The Health Belief Model: Major Concepts Defined
Perceived Susceptibility-person’s perception that a health problem is personally relevant or that a diagnosis of illness is accurate
Application: define population(s) at risk, risk levels; personalized risk based on a person’s features or behavior; heighten perceived susceptibility if too low

8. The Health Belief Model: Major Concepts Defined
Perceived Severity-individual’s opinion of how serious a condition and its consequences are in relation to self
Application: specify consequences of the risk and the condition

9. The Health Belief Model: Major Concepts Defined
Perceived Benefits-individual’s belief in the efficacy of the advised action to reduce risk or seriousness of the impact
Application: define action to take: the how, where, when and what; clarify the positive effects to be expected

10. The Health Belief Model: Major Concepts Defined
Perceived Barriers-individual’s opinion of the tangible and psychological cost of the advised action
Application: identify and reduce barriers through reassurance, incentives and assistant; know community resources

11. The Health Belief Model: Major Concepts Defined
Cues to Action/Motivation-individual’s desire to comply with a treatment; readiness
Application: provide how-to information, encouragement and reminders; promote awareness

12. The Health Belief Model: Major Concepts Defined
Self-Efficacy/Modifying Factors- individual’s confidence in own ability to take action; ability to work within own person variables and adjust when necessary
Application: provide training, guidance and alternatives when hurdles are met

13. The Health Belief Model: Strengths
Ease of use and transferability
Non-psychologist friendly
Allows for focused research on modifiable behaviors
Makes testable predictions: Large threats might be offset by perceived costs; small threats by large benefits etc.

14. The Health Belief Model: Limitations
Does not account for a person’s attitudes, beliefs, or other individual determinants that dictate a person’s acceptance of a health behavior
Assumes everyone has access to equal amounts of information on the illness and disease

15. The Health Belief Model: Limitations
Assumes that “health” actions are the main goal in the decision making process
Assumes health behavior is rational and logical