Health behaviour change theory/ construct

Description

Task: You have been accepted as an intern with Queensland Health. Currently you are completely a rotation within a section that has one of the following remits: • Physical activity • Sedentary behaviour • A specific dietary behaviour (e.g. fruit and/or vegetable consumption; consuming sweetened drinks) • Tobacco smoking • Alcohol use or an alcohol-related harmful behaviour (e.g. binge drinking; alcohol-associated violence; alcohol-associated sexual assault; drink driving) • Road-related harmful behaviour (e.g. no seatbelt use; speeding; drink driving) You may choose the same health behaviour as Assessment 1. Your supervisor has asked you to prepare a report reviewing current evidence with respect to the application of a behaviour change theory to one of these health behaviours. Your chosen health behaviour should be considered within the context of a specified target population. Your report should provide a clear rationale for addressing the health behaviour and critically examine the evidence on what influences are known to affect the chosen behaviour. The influences that are examined should reflect the behaviour change theory/ construct. The report should include how theoretical constructs predict the chosen health behaviour based on existing research that tests whether the theory predicts such behaviour or related behaviour. You may choose a single construct or a complete theory depending on the extent of the research available.

You will need to define the full theory (irrespective of whether you choose a construct or theory) and be explicit about what theory you are choosing to cover. You might consider the following theories or constructs from these theories: Theory of Planned Behaviour, Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, Protection Motivation Theory, Health Action Process Approach, Prototype Willingness Model. There are other health behaviour change theories, please check with your lecturer if you have any questions. When constructing your response, you should consider the following elements: Elements: Detail: Purpose To persuade and inform Text type Report Audience and your role Your role: Health communication intern working for a non-government organisation Audience: Senior management within Queensland Health Conditions Report Word count: 2000 words Referencing style: APA 6th edition Criteria (Objectives from ECP) 1. Explain the role of health behaviours in chronic disease and injury prevention and management 4. Critically analyse published research on health behaviours and synthesise it to form a persuasive rationale for health promotion practice 5. Critically appraise and apply health promotion frameworks 6. Demonstrate effective written and visual communication skills Getting started: • Select a health behaviour • Select a health behaviour change construct or theory to apply • Review the lectures notes from throughout the semester • Conduct wider reading around the application of your chosen construct/theory in relation to your chosen health behaviour as it applies to your specified target population for health behaviour change • You may cover sections such as: a. Rationale for the chosen health behaviour b. Definition of theory/construct c. Review of the theory/construct from practice, particularly as relevant to the health behaviour d. Putting it all together • Report templates and sections will be discussed in the Workshops