Adult Clinical Placement Report
Submitted By
Emania Fatima Adan
F23MPSY003
MS Clinical Psychology
Session (2023-2025)
Submitted To
Sir Umair Mudassar, Clinical Psychologist
Gulab Devi Chest Hospital, Lahore
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
KINNAIRD COLLEGE FOR WOMEN UNIVERSITY, LAHORE
Health Belief Model
Introduction
Health belief model is a psychological framework that helps explain and predict why
people make certain health related decisions (Alyafei & Easton-Carr, 2024). It was developed in
1950s by social psychologists to understand why people did not participate in health programs,
even when they were available to them. This model suggests that an individual’s health related
behaviors are influenced by their beliefs about the severity of a potential health risk, their
perception and the perceived benefits and barriers of taking action to prevent or manage it.
Key components of the model
It consists of 6 primary cognitive constructs that influence a behavior.
Perceived Susceptibility
It refers to a person’s perception of their personal risk of developing a health problem. If
someone believes that they are at a significant risk, they are more inclined to look for solutions to
mitigate that risk (Alyafei & Easton-Carr, 2024).
Perceived Severity
It refers to a person’s perception of the severity of a health problem and its potential
consequences. If someone thinks a condition is serious, they are more inclined to take
precautions (Alyafei & Easton-Carr, 2024).
Perceived benefits
It refers to a person’s perception in the effectiveness of a given action or treatment in
reducing their risk or severity of a health concern. If a person believes that a treatment is
beneficial, they are more inclined to use it (Alyafei & Easton-Carr, 2024).
Perceived Barriers
It refers to a person’s perception of the challenged or difficulties associated with taking a
specific action (Alyafei & Easton-Carr, 2024). If someone perceives there are major impediments
to taking action, they are less inclined to do so.
Self-efficacy
It refers to a person’s confidence in their capacity to perform a specific health behavior
successfully. If someone feels confident in their ability to take action, they are more likely to do
so (Alyafei & Easton-Carr, 2024).
Cues To Action
It refers to the external stimuli or the reminders that motivate people to take action
(Alyafei & Easton-Carr, 2024). These can range from doctor’s recommendations to media
efforts.
Application
This model has been applied in diverse contexts, including chronic disease prevention,
health education and promotion and evaluation of the efficacy of community-based
treatments (Glanz et al., 2008).
One major application is in behavior change interventions, where psychologists use the
model to explore why individuals continue unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, poor
eating habits, or physical inactivity (Champion & Skinner, 2008).
It may help individuals recognize the benefits of these behaviors and reduce perceived
barriers that prevent them from acting (Champion & Skinner, 2008).
Understanding beliefs about the severity of mental health symptoms and the benefits of
counseling allows psychologists to design more effective awareness campaigns and
interventions (Champion & Skinner, 2008). It helps explain why people may avoid or
delay seeking psychological support.
Furthermore, in therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral approaches, the elements of the
HBM are used to challenge irrational beliefs and enhance decision-making related to
health and well-being (Champion & Skinner, 2008).
References
Alyafei, A., & Easton-Carr, R. (2024). The health belief model of behavior change. In StatPearls
[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Champion, V. L., & Skinner, C. S. (2008). The health belief model. Health behavior and health
education: Theory, research, and practice, 4, 45-65.
Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (2008). Theory, research, and practice in health
behavior and health education.
