AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL AND EGO DEVELOPMENT IN PREDICTING HEALTH RELATED ACTIONS IN THE AGED (GERONTOLOGY, PERSONALITY, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY)
Abstract
This investigation was designed to explore the utility of the Health Belief Model in predicting health related actions in the aged. It was proposed to expand previous research strategies by employing a continuum of health related actions as dependent measures. These included health behaviors, sick role behaviors, and illness behaviors. Previous investigations demonstrated that components of the Health Belief Model were related differentially to each type of health related action, and these components were employed as independent variables in this investigation. However, the conceptualization of the model was limited because the role of personality variables had remained unexplored. This study also examined the contribution of ego development, as a personality component of the model, in predicting health related actions in the elderly. This investigation included 72 subjects aged 65 years and older. The generalizability of the results is limited due to sampling methods employed and several statistical restrictions. In light of these limitations, it was found that of the Health Belief Model components, only the variable of "perceived probability that actions will reduce the threat of illness" was a significant predictor of the health related actions. This indicated that those who believed in the potency of their actions were more likely to engage in health related behaviors. In testing the applicability of ego development, it was found to be a significant addition to the model for the outcome measures of health behaviors and sick role behaviors. This suggested that those at the more complex levels of ego development took better preventive care of their health (health behaviors) and engaged in more actions to deal with oncoming illnesses (sick role behaviors) relative to those at less complex levels of ego development. In addition, post-conformist subject appeared to be in better health than conformist subjects as reflected by their self health ratings and physicians' health ratings of them. This implied that the type of interventions for increasing people's beliefs in their potential for reducing the threat of illness should be based upon their level of ego development functioning.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy
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