Health psychology/Models & behaviour · Behavioural model

Health Belief Model

What it means

Predicts health behaviour from perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers (modified by cues to action and self-efficacy).

Worked example

A smoker quits when he believes he is at risk (susceptibility), that lung cancer is grave (severity), that quitting helps (benefit) and that it is feasible (low barrier).

In the exam

A man decides to attend screening once he believes he could realistically have the disease, that it would be serious, and that the test is worthwhile and easy to access.

What settles it

The Health Belief Model weighs perceived risk vs benefit/barrier. The Theory of Planned Behaviour centres on INTENTION shaped by attitudes, norms and perceived control.

Classically confused with

Theory of Planned Behaviour

Source: Rosenstock; Becker