My (insert a hard-headed loved one's name here) will not listen to health advice and change their behavior. Why?
There are a variety of health-related theories that try to predict the profile of those who will or will not adhere to medical advice such as the behavioral theory, the self-efficacy theory, theories of reasoned action and planned behavior, and the transtheoretical model (Brannon & Feist, 2004). Unfortunately, rates of patients’ compliance with the advice of their healthcare provider are less that 50% and the rates of non-compliance are even greater when it comes to taking actions that are associated with medical preventive advice versus following treatment orders for existing diseases (Brannon & Feist, 2004). Often, when a behavioral strategy is determined by the patient the level of compliance is greater than when it is prescribed by a health care provider (Lyon & Konradi, 2000).
The behavioral theory proposes that using reinforcement techniques (both positive and negative) can change behavior by giving the patient reminder notes, commending the patient for adhering to the recommended behavior, or facilitating the patient’s own realization that will feel better by cooperating with the health advice (Brannon & Feist, 2004). AIDS patients have been analyzed in studies regarding behavioral theories and the negativity complexity associated with their medical dosing schedules, the adverse events associated with the high costs of the medications, and the realization that this will be a lifelong commitment regarding their treatment have shown an adherence to difficulties with maintaining a new behavioral program and often missed doses on a regular basis (Stein, Rich, Maksad, Chen, Hu, & Sobota, 2000).
The self-efficacy theory proposes that people who believe they have control over their environment and behavior can have an impact on their health and therefore can change their health behaviors (Brannon & Feist, 2004). Wiedenfeld, O'Leary, Bandura, Brown, Levine, and Raska proposed as early as 1990 that the self-efficacy theory (in association with the biopsychosocial model’s principles) demonstrated that patient’s had the ability to control phobic stressors could enhance immuno-enhancing effects (rather than an enhancement of immumo-suppressive behavior).
The theories of planned reasoned action and planned behavior suggest that a person’s intention to adopt new health behavioral patterns is associated with their attitude towards a the outcome of the behavior they must adopt, how much control they believe they have in the outcome (Brannon & Feist, 2004). Lastly, the transtheoretical model, with its goal to predict behavioral changes, suggests that there are stages in which a person transcends about their behavior change which include precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance (Brannon & Feist, 2004).
These models are not completely successful in determining a behavioral change because, as Brannon and Feist state, past behavior seems to be more predictive for what present behavior will be even with the best of intentions (2004). So, if a person has been diagnosed with diabetes, these theories can not conclude if the patient will voluntarily lower their sugar intake or monitor their blood sugar levels on a regular basis even if they have the best of intentions.
More:
Brannon, L. & Feist, J. (2004). Health psychology: An introduction to behavior and health (5th Ed.). CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Lyon, B. L., & Konradi, D. B. (2000). Measuring Adherence to a Self-Care Fitness Walking Routine. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 17(3), 159-169.
Stein, M. D., Rich, J. D., Maksad, J., Chen, M., Hu, P., Sobota, M., et al. (2000). Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV-Infected Methadone Patients: Effect of Ongoing Illicit Drug Use. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 26(2), 195.
Wiedenfeld, S. A., O'Leary, A., Bandura, A., Brown, S., Levine, S., & Raska, K. Impact of perceived self-efficacy in coping with stressors on components of the immune system. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 90(59), 1082-1094
Dr. Lisa Samuel
Reader Comments (2)
Sick of diabetes a person has to reduce blood sugar...trust me
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