Deck 11: Health Behavior Theories

Question 1

Which choice is not one of the three most dominant theories or models of health behavior in use today?

A) The transtheoretical model
B) The representational approach
C) Social cognitive theory
D) The health belief model

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Gretchen is considered at an increased risk for developing breast cancer due to a family history of the disease. She has scheduled a mammogram and will have to pay the costs completely out of pocket because her insurance does not cover the cost. This expense will be a hardship for Gretchen, but she feels the benefits of having the mammogram outweigh the cost. If Gretchen's behavior is considered from the standpoint of the health belief model, which criteria for action does it best fit?

A) Perceived severity
B) Self-efficacy
C) Perceived barriers
D) Cue to action

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which health behavior theory examines not only an individual's view of their actions, but whether or not the individual believes family members and friends would approve or disapprove of their behavior?

A) The theory of planned behavior
B) The transtheoretical approach
C) The social ecological model
D) Social cognitive theory

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Warren is a heavy smoker who suffers from a frequent "smoker's cough." The cough worries him, and he knows on a conscious level that it is the result of his smoking habit. He has not actually made any moves toward changing his behavior, but he has thought a lot about it and worrying about what will happen to his family if he does not stop smoking. If Warren's behavior is viewed according to the transtheoretical model, which stage of change does it best fit?

A) Preparation
B) Contemplation
C) Maintenance
D) Pre-contemplation

Question 5

Becca suffers from an eating disorder and has been undergoing a program to change her habits and help her make healthier choices about food and her nutritional needs. She has been successful in the program for more than six months, but last week she experienced a relapse and fell back into her old patterns. If you were to examine Becca's behavior from a transtheoretical viewpoint, to what would you most likely attribute Becca's relapse?

A) Inadequate teaching and support for the new behavior
B) Social and family pressures to fall back into old patterns
C) Lack of understanding of the program and its goals
D) Problems with her motivation and self-efficacy levels

Question 6

Which is not a strategy typically employed by social cognitive theorists to increase patient self-efficacy?

A) Formalized behavior contracting
B) Small, incremental goal setting
C) Behavior reinforcement and monitoring
D) Mentoring

Question 7

Louis is an advanced practice nurse who focuses his attention on behavior change in high school students. He spends a lot of time working with the administration at the local high school to create support communities for students with substance abuse problems. Louis hopes that these communities will help students with problems change their behaviors and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Which health behavior theory most closely aligns with Louis' work?

A) The representational approach
B) Students direct the entire learning experience.
C) The theory of planned behavior
D) Students passively participate in the learning process.

Question 8

Which two disciplines does the representational approach rely on in the development of patient interventions?

A) Health psychology and educational theory
B) Health psychology and social science
C) Social science and educational theory
D) Cognitive theory and social science

Question 9

Which statement about the biobehavioral factors that impact the behavior change process is true?

A) Biobehavioral factors are completely controllable through high self-efficacy.
B) Biobehavioral factors are sometimes mistaken for withdrawal syndromes.
C) Biobehavioral factors may be physiological or genetically determined.
D) Biobehavioral factors are rarely linked to life-threatening health habits.

Question 10

According to the health behavior model, which statement exemplifies a cue to action?

A) The personal realization that having unprotected sex puts an individual at increased risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
B) A public service announcement encouraging sexually active adults to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
C) Acknowledgement that the cost of using sexual protection is outweighed by the benefits of protecting personal sexual health.
D) Concern for the health and safety of sexual partners who may be exposed to any sexually transmitted diseases an individual may be carrying.