Behavioural Change and Health Promotion Subject
From our in class discussions 👇
Biopsychosocial model of health
How can a natural health practitioner help improve someone’s chronic health by acknowledging all aspects of the biopsychosocial model of health.
Locus of control
Do you have an internal or external locus of control? (Or a different focus for different parts of your life?) How could this have a positive or negative impact on your health behaviours/ability to change?
Predicting health behaviours
Concepts discussed in the lectures and text so far…
Can you give an example from you life of something that you know you have a low self-efficacy in?
I love the conversation so far about utilising nature therapy in addressing mental health issues. It can teach us so much!
My youngest child went to a Steiner / Montessori  inspired preschool set in bushland in Tasmania. I cleaned there every morning from 530 am – 7.30 am for four years before getting home to take my older two children to school. I could have chosen evenings but I chose mornings because it got me up early and inspired me for the day.Â
I couldn’t get up that early now mind though at the time it worked. During this time I studied the advanced diploma of naturopathy throughout the day. I was immersed in nature and working through issues that were coming up for me to address at the time. It was a good experience even if not easy.
Biopsychosocial model of health
From my work perspective now – an aged care worker can support their clients at home.
The biopsychosocial model of health can be identified in looking at mobility stressors due to musculoskeletal disorders which occur as we age (physical). This can create social isolation which can lead to feelings of frustration and loneliness (social & psychological). A carer can assist with personal care daily such as showering, dressing, preparing breakfast, making the bed, and chatting about the day to day (physical, social, psychological), then on a seperate visit – perhaps 1 x per week a carer can assist the client to social events including going to lunch, meeting up with friends, or attending group activities.
The 3 are interrelated and the relationship both the carer and the client develop are important in making a positive impact to health and quality of life.
Locus of control
This is an interesting question because locus of control can change depending on life experience and discernment. I would say I’ve had both external and internal perspectives throughout life. Nowadays I’m predominantly internal, though I’m in process of review and a balanced approach definitely helps…until things don’t balance and a situation requires a new perspective. I can’t think of an example. This would lead to the third video…
Predicting health behaviours
The theory of change model. I can’t recall all the stages so will go and review. Precontemplation, contemplation, change, maintenance, reverting back, and then resuming the healthier choice until it becomes a replacement for the less healthy choice?
I think many people follow a similar pattern to the above and that change can take time. I can see why life coaches are popular nowadays in helping with motivation, accountability, education and other aspects of behaviour change.
I recognise I have low self efficacy in motivation and concentration due to ADHD. I HAVE to be doing something I’m passionate about or my concentration is not very good. So I can acknowledge my lower ability to focus, needs to be offset with choosing activities that I can focus well on and then usually I can do a very good job in that field of interest. It’s good to practice things like focus through intention, choice, goal setting, and prioritising.