Health psychology/Models & behaviour · Behavioural model

Sick role

What it means

Parsons’ concept: being ill is a social role with two rights (exemption from normal duties; not held responsible for being ill) and two duties (must want to get well; must seek competent help and cooperate).

Worked example

A signed-off employee is excused work but is expected to try to recover and follow advice.

In the exam

A man off work with illness is excused his normal obligations and not blamed for being unwell, but is socially expected to want to recover and to cooperate with treatment.

What settles it

The sick role is a SOCIAL contract of rights and duties of being ill (Parsons). Illness behaviour (Mechanic) is how an individual perceives and acts on symptoms.

Classically confused with

Illness behaviour

Source: Parsons 1951