NR 501 Week 5: Health Behavior Theories
Sample Answer for NR 501 Week 5: Health Behavior Theories Included After Question
NR 501 Week 5: Health Behavior Theories
NR 501 Week 5: Health Behavior Theories
Introduction
Actions that individuals take that impact health are known as health behaviors. Examples of health behaviors include level of exercise, dietary intake, and use of substances. Health behaviors can influence health in either a positive or negative manner. Nurse practitioners have a pivotal role in changing patients’ health behaviors using education and health promotion to achieve outcomes in individuals, families, and communities. Understanding theories of health behavior can assist the NP in realizing meaningful change, and is an important aspect of both preventing and managing disease.
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NR 501 Week 5: Health Behavior Theories
Title: NR 501 Week 5: Health Behavior Theories
Health Behavior Theories
Health Belief Model
The health belief model [HBM] was developed by psychologists at the US Public Health Service in the 1950s (Glanz, Burke, & Rimer, 2018). The psychologists wondered why community members did not take advantage of tuberculosis screenings available free of charge. They theorized that beliefs about susceptibility to the disease, and perceptions about the benefits of prevention influenced the community members’ willingness to act on obtaining the screening (Glanz et al., 2018).
There are six constructs that theorists have identified as important in influencing patient decision making about whether or not to take action with health behavior modification. These include:
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Perceived susceptibility: patients must believe they are susceptible to the condition
Perceived severity: patients must believe the condition has serious consequences if left unattended
Perceived benefits: patients must believe that taking some kind of action reduces their susceptibility
Perceived barriers: patients must believe that the benefits of acting are greater than the barriers perceived
Cue to action: patients are exposed to something that causes them to act, such as an ad or discussion with a provider
Self-efficacy: patients feel they can succeed when performing an action
(Glanz et al., 2018).
Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change
The transtheoretical model of behavioral change posits that patients have varying degrees of readiness to change behaviors to increase or regain health (Glanz et al, 2018). The model examines stages of change as a method of explaining patients’ readiness to comply
Transtheoretical Model
Transcript
Precontemplation: patients are not aware or interested in change (person smoking)
Contemplation: patients begin thinking about change (person walking past a quit smoking ad )
Preparation: patients plan for change this would be an action step as defined by the text (person circling a date on the calendar as a prep for quit date)
Action: patients change old habits and gain new, healthier habits (person throwing cigarettes in the bin and exercising)
Maintenance: patients continue with healthier behaviors (person as a fit runner)
According to the model, nurse practitioners must recognize the patient’s current stage of change; some patients may not be ready to begin thinking about a change, while others need help planning the execution of the healthy behavior.
Social Cognitive Theory
Social Cognitive Theory [SCT] includes a model that explains human behavior as it relates to the way that personal factors, environmental influences, and behavior interact in each individual (Glanz et al., 2018). One of the major tenets of SCT is that people learn not only through experiences, but also by observing others’ successes and failures.
Behavior modification is a major component of SCT. Behavior modifications can include interventions such as self-monitoring, setting goals, and contracting for behaviors (Glanz et al., 2018). In order to successfully implement behavior modification strategies, it is important to increase patients’ self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is one’s confidence in acting even in the face of obstacles to that action. Nurse practitioners can work with patients to increase self-efficacy by:
Setting small goals that are achievable
Contracting for behavior and including rewards for success
Reinforcing and monitoring behaviors
(Glanz et al., 2018)
Social Cognitive Theory
Click on the interactive to learn more about social cognitive theory.
Social Cognitive Theory Links to an external site.
Transcript
Kara is a 43-year old woman who presents to the clinic for a routine follow-up exam.
VS:
Height 5’4”
Weight: 252 lbs
BP 133/74
HR: 92
Her physical exam is unremarkable.
Kara expresses frustration about her weight. She states she has gained about 25 lbs in the past few years, “but it could be more- I stay away from the scale if I can” and does not feel like she can stick to any diet or plan with any success.
Kara works full-time as an office manager. She is the primary meal planner, cook, and shopper for her family, which includes her husband and two school-aged children.. Due to their busy schedule, the family eats out at fast-food restaurants several nights a week. Kara does not participate in physical activity outside of household chores. She admits to “snacking most of the evening in front of the TV”. You note Kara has a large to-go cup with her in the office; she states “I never go anywhere without my sweet tea”.
Using Social Cognitive Theory and the idea of self-efficacy, let’s help Kara design a plan for successful weight loss.
Create small, incremental, achievable goals for Kara for the first month of her plan. Identify which of the following would be good goals for Kara.
Eliminate snacking after dinner
Eat one less fast-food dinner per week
Exercise 60 minutes four times a week
Switch to unsweetened iced tea or water
Stick to a 1000 calorie low fat diet
Increase daily steps by 1000 per day
Correct answers: a, b, d, and f
Once goals have been established help Kara monitor and reinforce her progress. In the space provided below, identify a few ways that you can help monitor and reinforce her progress.
A few possible ways you can help Kara include:
Weekly check-in calls
Bi-weekly encouraging emails that include healthy tips and recipes
Food journal
Exercise tracking app or device
Non-food rewards (Kara wants a pedicure!)
Weekly weigh-ins
Bi-weekly emails with tips and encouragement
Reflection
How could applying health behavior theories help increase compliance with patients? What behaviors must the NP model in order to successfully implement health behavior theories? Why does modeling matter?