Compare the Biopsychosocial model with the Health Belief model
The Health Belief model and the Biopsychosocial model both represent two different approaches to health. The Health Belief model attempts to predict reasons for health behaviour and likelihood of behaviour change 1(Naidoo and Wills 2001). Where as the Biopsychosocial model shown by Banyard 2(1996) identifies health as being multi dimensional stating with interacting factors rather then a single cause
The Health Belief Model as described by Naidoo and Wills 3 (2001) was originally designed by Rosenstock in 1966 and later developed by Bekker and colleagues in the 1970’s. They describe how the model describes how demographic variables have an impact on behaviour change. The variables being susceptibility, seriousness, costs, benefit and cues to action. Each variable is shown as independent but all could impact on a persons likelihood of behaviour change. Susceptibility refers to chances, like an individuals chance of getting a disease. Seriousness refers to severity of an illness or disease. Cost refers to not only monitory value like how much money smoking cost but also to other values in a person life, like giving up smoking may cause stress. Benefits refers to benefits of giving up a behaviour such as a person could feel healthier and be less likely to lose their breath when walking if they give up smoking. And lastly cues to action can refer to an internal factor like shortness of breath or an external factor like advice from a doctor. Together or individually all of these variables are suggested to affect our likelihood of behaviour change.
Although the demographic values cover many areas they do not consider that some demographic values may impact more in comparison to others. There is no measurement on each of their importance to an individual.
In contrast to the focus on behavioural change the Biopsychosocial model as shown by Banyard 4 (1996) presents biological, social and psychological factors within health and illness, showing their interactions and recognising a more holistic approach. Health and illness are shown as having many differing causes and effects ranging from physical symptoms like atoms, which affect biological systems like our tissues and organs, in turn affecting our psychological systems like behaviour and then affect our social systems like our family and ecological systems such as other human beings.
As shown by Baynard 5 (1996) the three main systems of the Biopsychosocial model (social, psychological and biological factors) can be used to understand a problem like stress. A person could be under stress at work or home (social systems) which could result in a change of behaviour emotionally or rationally (psychological system) and in turn their blood pressure could be raised increasing the risk of a heart attack (biological systems)
The model however does not show that there could be more factors each with differing importance within an individuals life like religion and cultural values which could be perceived by an individual as of greater importance then other factors.
Both approaches are useful in helping us understand issue that may affect our health. The Health Belief model shows factors that impact on likelihood of change 6 (Naidoo and Wills 2001) but does not show the comparison of importance for each factor affecting an individual. The Biopsychosocial approach7(Baynard 1996)looks at interacting factors that influence our Biological, Psychological and Social systems within health and illness but fails to offer explanations on how to implement change. for an individual. I believe neither model is better then the other. with each doing mostly what it intends to and neither being fully conclusive in answers and including all factors of health.
Word count 548
Referencing
Naidoo and Wills (2001)
2 Banyard (1996)
3 Naidoo and Wills (2001)
4Banyard (1996)
5 Baynard (1996)
6 Naidoo and Wills (2001)
Bibliography
Naidoo J, Wills J (2001) health studies an introduction London:Palgrave
Banyard P Applying Psychology to Health London:Hodder & Stoughton
Samantha Dunn Health Studies 13 October 2004
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