Health Promotion
Like you have learned with nursing theory, behavior change theories and models provide a framework for developing effective health promotion activities. Include the following in your initial post:
• Introduce a behavior change theory or model. Include the name and key concepts of the theory or model.
• Discuss your rationale for choosing this theory or model.
• How can this theory or model be used to address the Healthy People topic and objective you are choosing for the remainder of the course assignments?
Sample Solution
Behavior Change Theory or Model: Social Cognitive Theory
Key Concepts:
- Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is a theory of behavior change that focuses on the role of social factors in influencing individual behavior. SCT posits that people learn new behaviors by observing others (modeling) and by experiencing the consequences of their own behavior (reinforcement).
- SCT proposes that there are three key factors that influence behavior:
- Personal factors: These include individual characteristics such as knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs.
- Behavioral factors: These include the specific behaviors that an individual performs.
- Environmental factors: These include the social and physical environment in which an individual lives.
Full Answer Section
Rationale for Choosing SCT I chose SCT because it is a comprehensive and well-established theory of behavior change. SCT has been used to explain and predict a wide range of behaviors, including health behaviors such as physical activity, smoking cessation, and healthy eating. Additionally, SCT is a flexible theory that can be adapted to a variety of settings and populations. How SCT Can Be Used to Address the Healthy People Topic and Objective The Healthy People topic and objective that I have chosen is to increase physical activity among adults. SCT can be used to address this topic and objective by:- Identifying key personal, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence physical activity. For example, personal factors that may influence physical activity include knowledge of the benefits of physical activity, self-efficacy for engaging in physical activity, and attitudes towards physical activity. Behavioral factors that may influence physical activity include the type, duration, and intensity of physical activity that an individual engages in. Environmental factors that may influence physical activity include access to safe and convenient places to be physically active, social support for physical activity, and cultural norms around physical activity.
- Developing interventions that target the key factors that influence physical activity. For example, interventions to increase physical activity knowledge could include educational programs or brochures. Interventions to increase self-efficacy for engaging in physical activity could include goal setting, social support groups, and self-monitoring. Interventions to change environmental factors that influence physical activity could include building more parks and recreation facilities, making public transportation more accessible, and working with employers to create workplace wellness programs.
- A study by Bandura et al. (2004) found that a walking program based on SCT was effective in increasing physical activity among older adults. The program included components such as goal setting, social support, and self-monitoring.
- A study by Glanz et al. (2008) found that a workplace wellness program based on SCT was effective in increasing physical activity among employees. The program included components such as educational workshops, goal setting, and social support.
- A study by Conn et al. (2014) found that a community-based physical activity intervention based on SCT was effective in increasing physical activity among adults. The intervention included components such as educational workshops, social support, and environmental changes such as making sidewalks safer and more accessible.