HEALTH PROMOTIONS

Health Promotions

Health Promotions

Introduction

In the domain of health care, there are various theories related to the behaviors of patients. The report discusses the Theory of Reasoned Actions and The Stages of Change Model that have an essential role in an individual's life. These theories have been presented with some examples and cases, principally relating to obesity. It also discusses an evaluation and analysis of these theories.

The Theory of Reasoned Action

The theory of reasoned action focuses on the behavior change as a direct outcome of behavioral intent and explains various components that determine this intention. The core aim of the theory is to forecast and understand the behavior of an individual. It is purely concerned with the individual behaviors. Interventions based on this framework must focus on an intention to achieve the goal of the behavior change, rather than the not attempting the change behavior (Stewart & Roach, 1998, pp. 177-193). In understanding the theory of reasoned action, it is necessary to gain information about conceptualization of the two determinants. The first attitude is the attitude of the individual towards the targeted behavior, and the second is to express a factor in shaping the individual's intention and beliefs regarding the norms. The theory is based around behavioral, normal and control beliefs with intentions and behavior (Hale, Householder et. al, 2003, pp. 259-281). Health care promotional campaigns are placed all over the globe with unique objectives, activities, and results. This theory provides a detailed direction and assessment of the objectives. A variety of campaigns has implemented this theory in their health promotion campaigns.

The Stages of Change Model

The stages of change model are also known as the trans-theoretical model. It is a useful framework that describes the sequence of stages that a person goes through during the life style stages. As per the model, the behavioral changes do not happen in a single step, but they occur in a series of phases. It is also used to understand the changing behavior of a person (Hedeker, Mermelstein et. al, 1999, pp 61-70). There are five stages of the change model:

Pre-contemplation

In this stage, people are not intentionally taking actions for the predictable future, and can be ignorant of the behavior. In the context of health care, patients in this phase to not even consider changing.

Example

Patients suffering with obese try so many times to lose weight, but result giving it up.

Contemplation

In this stage, people begin to recognize the problems incurred by their behavior and start understanding the pros and cons of their actions (Westley & Briggs, 2004, pp. 5-12).

Example

In this phase, patients are in a dual state of mind or ambivalent about the changing process. In this scenario, the patients feel that giving up behaviors that provide them joy leads to a sense of loss.

Preparation

This is the phase in which individuals start taking actions and some steps for change. Example

Patients in this phase tend to make a change in their lifestyle. This is the stage of experimentation with determination to increase ...