The Health Belief Model: background
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The Health Belief Model (HBM) is the one of
the first theories with a foundation in behavioral social sciences and the theory is widely used in nursing practice today to promote healthy behaviors (Health belief model, 2012). The
Health Belief Model is defined as a borrowed nursing theory as it is founded from behavioral sciences rather than nursing science.
According to Rosenstock, “The HBM was originally developed in the 1950’s
by a group of social psychologists working for the U.S. Public Health Service
who wanted to improve the public’s use of preventive services” (as cited in
McEwen & Wills, 2011, p. 290). Furthermore, Hochbaum (1958) wrote the HBM was created by a group of researchers at the U. S. Public Health Service to understand why preventive screening programs were unable to meet their goals or participation rates (as cited in Health belief Model, Ch 4). The Health Belief Model is based on the belief that individuals will be frightened by the idea of disease or illness and the effects they cause and be prompted to seek out preventive care services based on the benefits it
provides. This model was created to promote healthy behaviors in individuals by encouraging individuals to utilize preventive care services. According to the
Encyclopedia of Public Health (2002) “the health belief model continued to be
the most frequently applied model in published descriptions of programs and
studies in health education and health behaviors in the early 1990s”.
the first theories with a foundation in behavioral social sciences and the theory is widely used in nursing practice today to promote healthy behaviors (Health belief model, 2012). The
Health Belief Model is defined as a borrowed nursing theory as it is founded from behavioral sciences rather than nursing science.
According to Rosenstock, “The HBM was originally developed in the 1950’s
by a group of social psychologists working for the U.S. Public Health Service
who wanted to improve the public’s use of preventive services” (as cited in
McEwen & Wills, 2011, p. 290). Furthermore, Hochbaum (1958) wrote the HBM was created by a group of researchers at the U. S. Public Health Service to understand why preventive screening programs were unable to meet their goals or participation rates (as cited in Health belief Model, Ch 4). The Health Belief Model is based on the belief that individuals will be frightened by the idea of disease or illness and the effects they cause and be prompted to seek out preventive care services based on the benefits it
provides. This model was created to promote healthy behaviors in individuals by encouraging individuals to utilize preventive care services. According to the
Encyclopedia of Public Health (2002) “the health belief model continued to be
the most frequently applied model in published descriptions of programs and
studies in health education and health behaviors in the early 1990s”.