Utility Of Health Belief Model Research Articles

Treatment histories, barriers, and preferences for individuals with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent and chronic mental health condition, associated with considerable individual and economic burden. Despite the availability of effective treatments, many individuals do not access support. The current study explores treatment histories, barriers to help-seeking, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment preferences for individuals with clinically significant GAD symptoms. The utility of Health Belief Model (HBM) in predicting help-seeking is also examined. A cross-sectional design with 127 participants (Mage = 29.17; SD = 11.86; 80.3% female) was used. Sixty-two percent of participants reported previously seeking psychological treatment, and approximately 28% received CBT in the first instance. The most influential treatment barriers were a desire to solve the problem on one's own (M = 1.96, SD = 0.96), followed by affordability (M = 1.75, SD = 1.15) and feeling embarrassed or ashamed (M = 1.75, SD = 1.06). The most preferred treatment modes were in-person individual treatment (M = 7.59, SD = 2.86) followed by remote treatment via videoconferencing (M = 4.31, SD = 3.55). Approximately 38% of the variance in intention to seek treatment was associated with the HBM variables, with perceived benefit of treatment being the strongest predictor. Results have the potential to inform mental health service delivery by reducing treatment barriers and aligning public health campaigns with benefits of psychological treatments.

The utility of the health belief model variables in predicting help-seeking intention for depressive symptoms

ABSTRACT Objective: Depressive disorders are prevalent and associated with significant burden. Although effective treatments exist, many individuals do not seek help. The current study aims to examine the barriers to help-seeking for depressive symptoms in an Australian sample, and to examine the utility of Health Belief Model (HBM) factors in predicting the likelihood of future help-seeking in relation to depressive disorders. Method: The study used a cross-sectional design. One hundred and eighty Australians aged over 18 completed the current study (M age = 35.85; SD = 13.43; 76.1% female). Results: The most influential treatment barriers in this sample related to direct costs, indirect costs, and a belief that treatment from a psychologist was not needed. Regression analysis indicated that 49% of the variance in intention to seek help from a psychologist was associated with HBM variables. Level of perceived treatment benefit was the strongest predictor of help-seeking intention. Conclusion: In order to increase help-seeking for depressive disorders, public health campaigns must enhance perceptions about the benefits of psychological treatment and government policy and/or treatment providers must work to reduce the direct and indirect costs of psychological treatments within Australia. Key Points What is already known about this topic: (1)Depressive disorders are prevalent conditions and are associated with significant burden. (2)While effective psychological treatments for depression exist, few seek treatment. (3)The Health Belief Model has been used to investigate help-seeking intention in anxiety disorders, but not depressive disorder. What this topic adds: (1)Individuals with depressive symptom in Australia experience a number of barriers to accessing treatment. (2)The Health Belief Model can predict a significant amount variance in help-seeking intention for individuals with depressive symptoms. (3)Perceived treatment benefit is the strongest predictor of help seeking intention.

The utility of health belief model to explain self-protective behaviour against pneumoconiosis in Chinese underground coal miners: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesCoal workers’ pneumoconiosis is caused by exposure to respirable coal mine dust. The self-protection of underground coal miners (UCM) plays an irreplaceable role against this threat. The purpose of this...

Utility of health belief model as a guide for explaining or predicting breast cancer screening behaviours.

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of HBM as a theoretical guide for predicting breast cancer screening and therefore for guiding intervention studies. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for middle age women (35-50) and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in all women in the United States (US). Early detection of breast cancer through screening is the only option available to women. However, less than half of all women in the US participate in screening. The health belief model (HBM), which specifies interactions of values and beliefs about health and their influence on choices, has been widely used to explain screening behaviour. An integrative research review analysed 16 published descriptive studies employing HBM. Literature was located through a search of research based studies listed in Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Medline, and cancer literature databases and studies cited in other references between 1990 and 1999. Application of HBM was inconsistent. No study tested nonlinear relationships between variables as specified in the model. At best, the model explained 47% of the variance in screening behaviour when socioeconomic status was included. Otherwise predictive power was low, ranging from 15 to 27%. While the model provides some description of the values, beliefs and behaviours of middle-aged women primarily, HBM does not appear to have the power to consistently predict behaviours. Further research is needed to provide more thorough depiction of the social, nonhealth care meaning of breast cancer.

Using the health belief model to explain clinic appointment-keeping for the management of a chronic disease condition.

Broken appointments have untoward repercussions for patients' health and well-being. Although the literature on missed appointments has been largely atheoretical, several studies have tested the Health Belief Model (HBM) in this context. Those studies have found HBM dimensions are not predictive of keeping appointments for the management of a chronic condition. Given several limitations that characterize these studies, questions can be raised about the validity of this conclusion. This study investigated the utility of HBM for explaining appointment-keeping for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a potentially fatal chronic disease. A questionnaire, operationalizing HBM dimensions and exhibiting acceptable psychometric properties, was developed for this research and administered to 153 SLE patients enrolled at an outpatient clinic of a major teaching hospital. In addition to measuring intention to keep appointments, data were abstracted from medical records regarding actual appointment-keeping during 12 months prior to and 6 months following questionnaire completion. Regression analysis indicated that general health motivation and perceived severity of SLE were uniquely associated in the theoretically predicted direction with, respectively, intent and the percentage of scheduled appointments kept (PSAK) during the 12 month retrospective period. Perceived costs was associated in the expected direction with intent, 12 month retrospective and 6 month prospective PSAK. Typical of HBM research the effect sizes uncovered were modest in magnitude. Questions for future investigation are discussed.