Interventions and Individual health

Question 1

What is the primary focus of health psychology?

Answer 1

Understanding how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours influence physical health and illness.

Question 2

Name two key roles of a health psychologist.

Answer 2

• Promote healthier lifestyles
• Supporting emotional adjustment to illness.
• Train healthcare pofessionals to better communicate with patients

Question 3

How does health psychology differ from traditional medicine?

Answer 3

Health psychology focuses on psychological and behavioural factors, not just biological causes.

Question 4

Give two examples of areas where health psychologists apply their skills.

Answer 4

• Helps patients manage diabetes
• Improves communication between HC professionals and patients.

Question 5

What is the purpose of assessing a patient’s behaviour risk in health interventions?

Answer 5

To tailor the intensity and type of intervention to the individual’s needs.

Question 6

What does the COM-B model stand for?

Answer 6

Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour.

Question 7

According to the COM-B model, what three factors must be present for behaviour to occur?

Answer 7

Capability, opportunity, and motivation.

Question 8

What framework builds on COM-B to break behaviour down into finer psychological domains?

Answer 8

The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Question 9

What are Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs)?

Answer 9

Practical strategies derived from psychological theory to change behaviour (e.g., habit formation, prompts).

Question 10

What is the main advantage of using models like COM-B and TDF in designing interventions?

Answer 10

They ensure interventions address all relevant psychological, social, and environmental factors.

Question 11

Name two types of brief interventions that any healthcare professional can deliver.

Answer 11

• Brief advice on smoking cessation
• Encourage physical activity (e.g., through MECC initiative).

Question 12

What is self-efficacy, and why is it important in health behaviour change?

Answer 12

It’s the belief in one’s ability to successfully perform a behaviour, crucial for motivation and persistence.

Question 13

How does risk perception affect health behaviours?

Answer 13

Individuals who perceive higher personal risk are more likely to engage in preventive behaviours.

Question 14

What are two Behaviour Change Techniques that could support increasing physical activity?

Answer 14

• Self-monitoring of progress
• Setting graded tasks

Question 15

According to NHS guidelines, how many minutes of moderate activity should adults (19-64) perform per week?

Answer 15

At least 150 minutes.

Question 16

Name one common psychological barrier to physical activity among university students.

Answer 16

• Lack of time
• Feeling too tired after academic work.
• Lack of motivation

Question 17

What is one benefit of strength-building activities for health?

Answer 17

Improved bone density and muscle mass.

Question 18

What is an example of a moderate-intensity physical activity?

Answer 18

Brisk walking or dancing

Question 19

How can social opportunity support behaviour change?

Answer 19

• By encouraging individuals through social support networks
• Creating environments where healthy behaviours are the norm.

Question 20

How does the COM-B model address both internal and external influences on health behaviour?

Answer 20

• It accounts for internal factors like Capability and Motivation
• And external factors like Opportunity (social and environmental conditions).

Question 21

Explain why “opportunity” in the COM-B model is essential even if someone is highly motivated and capable.

Answer 21

Without opportunity (e.g., safe exercise spaces, financial resources), even capable and motivated individuals may not perform the desired behaviour.

Question 22

How could the Theory of Planned Behaviour complement the COM-B model in designing an intervention?

Answer 22

• TPB explains how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control influence intentions
• help to refine understanding of Motivation within COM-B.

Question 23

Describe an example where a behavioural experiment (BE) approach could be integrated into a physical activity intervention.

Answer 23

Testing a belief like “I can’t exercise for 10 minutes” by planning a manageable 10-minute walk and reviewing the actual experience.

Question 24

How might a health psychologist use the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to design a smoking cessation intervention?

Answer 24

By targeting domains like:
- beliefs about capabilities
- social influences
- reinforcement
through:
- skills training
- peer support
- rewards.

Question 25

Why might interventions solely based on education fail to produce meaningful behaviour change?

Answer 25

Knowledge alone doesn't change behaviour because other factors like: - self-efficacy - habits - environmental barriers might still prevent action.

Question 26

What Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) would you prioritise for someone with low self-efficacy about exercising?

Answer 26

- Setting small achievable goals (graded tasks) - Providing verbal encouragement - Focusing on previous successful behaviours.

Question 27

In the context of health interventions, what does “tailoring” an intervention mean, and why is it important?

Answer 27

Customising and curating intervention type & intensity to fit the individual's: - psychological needs - social context - barriers which improves effectiveness.

Question 28

Give an example of how a health psychologist could apply “environmental restructuring” as a behaviour change technique for healthy eating.

Answer 28

- Helping a client arrange their home environment to make fruits and vegetables more visible & convenient - while reducing easy access to junk food.

Question 29

How could social norms be leveraged to promote physical activity among university students?

Answer 29

- Campaigns showing that “most students” are active could create positive peer pressure - and shift perceived social norms towards regular exercise.

Question 30

Outline some key differences between CP and HP (1) Ogden, 2019

Answer 30

- Clinical psychology focuses on mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, OCD) - Health psychology focuses on physical health and behaviours (e.g., diet, exercise, long-term conditions like diabetes or heart disease)

Question 31

Outline some more key differences between CP and HP (2) Ogden, 2019

Answer 31

- Clinical psychology uses therapeutic methods such as CBT, psychoanalysis, and counselling. - Health psychology focuses on beliefs, behaviour change and improving quality of life.

Question 32

What are brief interventions?

Answer 32

Delivered by any healthcare professional to motivate people to change behaviours that may be damaging to their health

Question 33

What is the Make Every Contact Count (MECC) initiative?

Answer 33

Any healthcare professional talking with a patient should discuss smoking/harmful drinking/unhealthy eating/low physical activity

Question 34

What is extended or intensive interventions

Answer 34

- Delivered by behaviour change specialists (HPs) to people who are more “at-risk - (higher risk of harm, comorbidities (other health problems), difficulty maintaining behaviour change)