Psychological influences on health

Question 1

Define stress

Answer 1

Bodies response to demands put on it

Question 2

Define self-efficacy

Answer 2

Belief in ability to change

Question 3

How many units of alcohol a day would be described as binge drinking in women and men?

Answer 3

Women 6 units

Men 8 units

Question 4

Describe some measures suggested by NICE to change health behaviours in populations

Answer 4

– Fiscal and legislative interventions
– National and local advertising and mass media campaigns (for example, information
– Campaigns, promotion of positive role models and general promotion of health-enhancing behaviours)
– Point of sale promotions and interventions (for example, working in partnership with private sector organisations to offer information, price reductions or other promotions).

Question 5

Describe some measures suggested by NICE to change health behaviours within a community

Answer 5

– Support organisations and institutions that offer opportunities for local people to take part in the planning and delivery of services
– Support organisations and institutions that promote participation in leisure and voluntary activities
– Promote resilience and build skills, by promoting positive social networks and helping to develop relationships

Question 6

What three criteria was found to be the most effective when developing new intervention strategies?

Answer 6

– Targeting women and older people
– Shorter interventions
– Those which clearly map what they do to change processes

Question 7

Describe some measures suggested by NICE used to change health behaviours in an individual

Answer 7

– Feel positive about the benefits of health-enhancing behaviours and changing their behaviour/environment
– Plan their changes in terms of easy steps over time
– Recognise how their social contexts and relationships may affect their behaviour (from general public or loved ones, self image)
– Plan explicit ‘if-then’ coping strategies to prevent relapse

Question 8

What do you have to consider about the information you tell the patient regarding health behaviour changes?

Answer 8

To influence action/behaviour, information must be:
– Relevant to current goals
– Easily understood and remembered
– Readily available in the moment of decision or action

(advantages outweigh disadvantages)

Question 9

What does motivation depend on?

Answer 9

Motivation depends on the individual seeing the value of change and having faith in their ability to manage the change

Question 10

What does self efficacy underpin during health behaviour change?

Answer 10

o Goal-setting
o Effort investment
o Persistence in face of barriers
o Recovery from setbacks

Question 11

Describe the nuffield council’s bioethics ladder of intervention

Answer 11

• Do nothing or simply monitor the situation
• Provide information
• Enable choice
• Guide choice through incentives: guides people to pursue activity
• Guide choice through disincentives: guides them to not pursue activity
• Restrict choice: regulate to restrict the options available to people
• Eliminate choice: regulate to eliminate choice entirely