1.1. Identify two contrasting definitions of health and ill health.

2. Understand different explanatory models of health and ill health.

2.1.Explain two models of health and ill health, taken from the following list - ▪ Biomedical, ▪ Sociological ▪ Holistic ▪ Personal behaviour models.

3. Understand how models of health and ill health can be applied by health professionals.

3.1.Discuss how the two models chosen could be applied by health professionals.

4. Understand the different ways in which people respond to illness.

4.1.Explain factors that affect how people react to ill health

Definition of Sick Role Theory

Parsons saw the sick role as a form of deviance, or going against societal expectations, because an ill person has different patterns of behavior than the norm. He argued that people are generally expected to be productive members of society.

Modelling - imitating the role model's behaviour. Parent brushes teeth twice daily, the child observes. This has an effect on the child's behaviour. The child would then model the behaviour and brush their teeth twice a day.

The child observes their parent eating, the relationship with food, what food they eat. The parent also provides the food for the child. The parent communicates values about the food. This can have an effect on the child's preferences.

Vicarious Reinforcement - modelling is more likely through vicarious reinforcement. The observer witnesses the role model's behaviour being rewarded - eg a parent enjoying a chocolate bar or enjoying a particular exercise.

Peers

Schools may enlist popular children to become role models for other students, becoming 'leaders' to model healthy behaviours, reinforce positive lifestyle values. Peer groups often have the credibility that teachers or parents are unlikely to have with the other students.

Social Norms - 'desirable' or 'normal' behaviours (e.g. exercising, smoking) so other peers then imitate these behaviours.

Healthcare Professionals

Nurses are usually expected to model positive health behaviours that are targeted in health education. What if they don't? does this make health education less effective? Less credible coming from that health professional? Also they are expected to be teaching future nurses.

Celebrities

Celebrities are sometimes recruited to front media campaigns around health education. Celebrities are seen as having status, wealth and glamour that people want to emulate.

Covid vaccinations was a good example of this. Celtic Sea Salt - TikTok

Consider high media presence /social media.

Marks, D.F; Murray, M., Evans, B and Estacio, E.V (2015) 4th Edition. Health Psychology Theory, Research and Practice. Sage Edge.

self-medication - due to stress, anxiety, boredom. Short term coping strategies can have long term health consequences.

Protective behaviours - being physically active, eating a balanced diet, taking prescribed medication.

Professional biases - unconscious.

Racial and gender bias. Can lead to less accurate diagnosis, fewer treatment options, time spent with patient is shorter.

Cognitive Dissonance - a psychological discomfort when trying to make a decision that feels to have two equally attractive options/equal pros and cons to that individual. Disagreeing with yourself.

Resolving cognitive dissonance - change the behaviour or change the belief.

Perceived susceptibility - How likely am i to get the disease/ consequences from the behaviour?

Cost-benefit analysis - weighing up barriers and benefits (perceived).

Self-efficacy - a person's belief in their abilities