Healthy living Psychology-The Health belief Model (Study by Becker)

Approach: Cognitive

Aim: To test the ability of the HBM to explain mothers' differential compliance with a drug regimen prescribed for their asthmatic children.

Method: Self-report/clinical tests/correlation

Sample: Opportunity sample of 111 mothers (mean age 31, mean kids age 8, 94% black) from a low-income clinical population who agreed to participate in the study.

Procedure: Mothers were interviewed about their health motivations and attitudes about various aspects of asthma and its consequences. Each mother was asked to recall her handling of the child's current asthma attack, including whether the most recently prescribed asthma medication had been administered. Compliance was checked by a covert blood sample and checked in 70% of cases

Results: sample was tested positive for 53/80 children (compliance rate of 66% of those tested). Associations between each compliance measure and mothers' general health motivation were as follows...

• Perception of the overall severity of the child's asthma was the best predictor of compliance
• Highest level of statistical significance was found on the question of whether the mother gives asthma medication even when the child feels well
• Perceptions of the child as being poor health and susceptible to health problems and whether the child's asthma interfered with the child's normal functioning were good predictors of adherence
• Mother's stated level of concern about her child was correlated with compliance only when asked whether she had grater concern for the child with asthma than her other children
• Mothers who complied were significantly more likely to feel in control of the situations generally (link to locus of control)
• Mothers who complied were more likely to feel that most illness's were preventable.

All of the above associations present support for the relationships hypothesised by the HBM.
One find that conflicted with the HBM was that mothers who were compliant were more like to question doctors knowledge yet also felt better when heeding doctors advice.

Two demographic variables were significantly associated with adherence- mothers martial status (relationship) and level of education- Married most likely to comply; better educated more likely to comply

Discussion: the study proved general support for validity and reliability of the HBM. The HBM is based on hypotheses formulated about peoples beliefs prior to receiving medical care, whereas this study was conducted after a period on the medical regimen, therefore results should be interpreted in this light.

Evaluation

Sample:
strength: reasonable sample size, specific target group and with it being a opportunity sample they are willing to participate

Weakness: gender bias-role of mothers, ethnocentric-94%black, all low income backgrounds- not representative and its A typical because generally compliant mothers would take part

Reliability:
Strength: objective blood tests, standardised self questionnaire, test for controversy between self report and blood test, gathered quantities data

Weakness: only 70% had blood tests

Validity
Strength: objective clinical test, scientific, allows us to test validity of reports due to blood samples etc, Self report- no assumptions were made

Weakness: temporal validity-changed over time therefore more research is needed, Potential researcher bias because its the same guy who developed the theory therefore wanting evidence, obvious sign of social desirability or demand characteristics as there was problems between answers giving in the self reports and the clinical tests.

ETHICS

Strength: consent seen as it was opportunity sample and there was no real harm.

Weakness: lack of informed consent, covert blood sampoles- obligation to participant