Peer Response – Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory
Response 1
Hello,
This is an amazing post. I agree with your perspectives and insights into how the social cognitive theory (SCT) is applicable in helping patients realize their empowerment and role in their healthcare as well as the practical application of social media in remote patient management. My understanding, as per your presented line of thought, is that the SCT has the potential to help design socialization approaches that empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare with promising health outcomes. Arguably, your application of SCT in your practice settings and the use of researched websites for accurate information and virtual support groups show your dedication to evidence-based practice.
As you have mentioned, the use of social media is a valuable approach to patient empowerment, as certain health conditions can limit socialization and face-to-face support. This makes virtual support groups using social media a great alternative. Consistently, from the research data you have presented, social media can promote beneficial behavior. However, the negative effects of social media use cannot be ignored. According to evidence presented by Viner et al. (2019), social media can lead to negative mental health outcomes due to instances of bullying, which can further reduce socialization, hence patient isolation. Therefore, to make the SCT more applicable in practice settings, it is essential to consider the reliability and quality of health information accessed via social media, as well as the safety of the social media settings the patients engage in. Safer social settings can improve patient engagement and adherence to care plans.
References
Viner, R. M., Aswathikutty-Gireesh, A., Stiglic, N., Hudson, L. D., Goddings, A. L., Ward, J. L., & Nicholls, D. E. (2019). Roles of cyberbullying, sleep, and physical activity in mediating the effects of social media use on mental health and wellbeing among young people in England: a secondary analysis of longitudinal data. The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 3(10), 685–696. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30186-5
Response 2
Hello,
Thank you for your post. This is a well-presented discussion on the Health Belief Model and social support in health promotion. You have highlighted the six tenets of the model well in a way that makes it easily understandable. As you have focused on the application of the Health Belief Model within the context of labor and delivery, it is clear that social networks play a critical role in defining a population and individual health behaviors and how individuals view certain health conditions. Notably, the Health Belief Model helps the care provider, regardless of their settings, to understand how a population or an individual perceives how susceptible they are to a particular health condition, how they perceive the benefits of available treatment and preventative strategies, and barriers that may exist in access to healthcare services or disease treatments. Moreover, as you have noted, social support and networking are critical in healthcare. Social support is available both physically and virtually. Social networks significantly influence health-related behaviors (Hunter et al., 2019).
Consequently, with this understanding of the Health Belief Model and peer support, it is possible to design patient-focused approaches toward adopting health behaviors. Additionally, the central tenets of the Health Belief Model are perceived severity, health behaviors, and cues to action. Notably, the tenet on self-efficacy is also essential in promoting health behaviors as it seeks to empower patients to believe in themselves. This means that the client or patient can best understand the disease, how at-risk they are, the available options for care, as well as how to trust in themselves to make healthier lifestyles and changes.
References
Hunter, R. F., De La Haye, K., Murray, J. M., Badham, J., Valente, T. W., Clarke, M., & Kee, F. (2019). Social network interventions for health behaviours and outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS Medicine, 16(9), e1002890. https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PMED.1002890
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Question 
Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory
Please reply briefly (250 words) to the peer’s post below.
Madi
The social cognitive theory is based on an individual knowing the risks and benefits of behaviors, their propensity for change, and how they interact with the social environment (Murdaugh et al., 2019). Grace-Farfaglia (2019) reviewed studies discussing the effects of social cognitive theory (SCT); she found that setting a target or goal was integral to the individual’s ability to modify their behavior. The instance discussed was obese patients losing weight; the review also found that if there was a social aspect, such as regular check-ins on a social media site like Facebook, the adherence to the weight loss plan increased (Grace-Farfaglia, 2019). Although Grace-Farfaglia (2019) found that social media can improve self-efficacy and utilize the SCT, Zhang et al. (2022) have found that as much as social media can promote positive behavior, it can also have a negative effect. It was found that if a person’s experience were negative, it would decrease that person’s self-efficacy (Zhang et al., 2022). It was also found that those who operate the platforms on which the health information is obtained must monitor the data closely to ensure that it is correct and promotes user satisfaction (Zhang et al., 2022).
In my practice, I feel that the social cognitive theory (SCT) could be used to help patients realize their empowerment and role in their healthcare. Using social media sites would be positive that when we send the patients home, we also send them home with researched websites that provide accurate information and opportunities for support. This would allow the patients of chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure to find reliable virtual support groups. Chronic conditions can sometimes make it more challenging to socialize and have face-to-face support, and having virtual support has been shown to increase adherence to health promotion (Grace-Farfaglia, 2019).
References
Grace-Farfaglia, P. (2019). Social Cognitive Theories and Electronic Health Design: Scoping Review. JMIR Human Factors, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.2196/11544
Murdaugh, C. L., Parsons, M. A., & Pender, N. J. (2019). Health Promotion in Nursing Practice (8th ed.). Pearson.
Zhang, X., Chen, B., Li, G., & Dong, Y. (2022). Exploring the Health Information Seeking Behavior of Social Media Users Under the Background of COVID-19 Pandemic: An Empirical Study Based on Social Cognitive Theory. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1045914
San
Health Belief Model
The Health Belief Model explains reasons specific individuals seek preventive health care measures and other individuals have no desire to seek preventive health care measures (Murdaugh et al., 2019). The Health Belief Model originally consisted of four tenets, and now there are six, which include (Elizabeth Boskey, 2023):
- Perceived Severity- Health behaviors change based on the seriousness of the consequences
- Perceived Susceptibility- Health behaviors change when individuals feel at risk
- Perceived Benefits- Health behaviors change if the individual gains something in return
- Perceived Barriers- Health behavior change is an inconvenience
- Cues to Action- turning a want to make a health change action into an actual change
- Self-Efficacy- belief in self to make health care changes
In labor and delivery, proper education regarding vaccinations and treatments for the patient and newborn can promote health and overcome misunderstandings. Some examples include:
- Explanation of the importance of Vitamin K needed for blood to clot.
- Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment to prevent infection in newborn eyes
- Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns after delivery for liver protection from viruses
- Tdap vaccine for patients to aid in the prevention of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
- Education regarding consent needed for infant hearing screen
Social support, in combination with social networking via internet-based methods, is used to promote health. Social Support is essential in maintaining mental and physical health. With social networking, individuals feel valued, accepted, and in control, and they can seek help without being judged. Physicians and local hospitals use social networking to interact, provide education, and promote health behaviors to patients and individuals in the community. Examples include hospital patient portals, blogs, Instagram, and Facebook networks (Ventola, 2014).
Social Support and social networking can be dangerous due to limited, incomplete, and poor-quality information. It can cause vulnerability among users that misinterpret information. Social networking can also allow patients to share their personal information, affecting the safety of the individual (Ventola, 2014).
References
Ventola, C. L. (2014). Social Media and Health care Professionals: Benefits, risks, and best practices. P & T : a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103576/
Murdaugh, C. L., Parsons, M. A., & Pender, N. J. (2019). Health Promotion in Nursing Practice. Pearson.
Elizabeth Boskey, P. (2023, April 7). How the health belief model influences your behaviors. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/health-belief-model-3132721