Health belief model

The Health Belief Model or health beliefs model is a model of health behavior. It is used to analyze and predict health-related behavior and finds in health psychology application.

The crucial variable is the value of the target and the probability of target achievement. The model is based on the assumption that certain behaviors, the probability of getting a particular disease increase, and reduce this risk changes in individual behavior. The belief that a particular activity helps prevent the disease is crucial for the assumed probability of goal attainment. The health behavior is determined by conscious cost-benefit considerations.

Developed in the 1950s, Health Belief Model summarizes various theories, which provide the motivation for the use of health services and willingness to carry out disease prevention measures. The following factors are considered to determine in the model:

• The recognition of the value and effectiveness of their own preventive behavior ( "When I am physically active reduces the likelihood that I will be heart sick." )
• Assessing the risk of the disease
• The subjective assessment of their own susceptibility to disease (personal risk )
• Implementing its own restrictions and sacrifices that are due to the preventive behavior ( accounting for the benefits against the potential "cost" )
• The belief in the effectiveness and benefits of a particular action, such as medical help
• The objective severity of the disease. This factor has, remarkably, the least impact on the use of medical measures.