Theory of Planned Behavior, Essay Example

Describe one biomedical theory or model frequently used in health care and provide your rational for how it relates to improved patient outcomes

One of the most common preventable diseases is cancer directly linked to smoking. Currently, smoking is the number one cause of disability and death in the United States (Nieva, G., Valero, S., Bruguera, E., Andion, A., Trasovsres, M.V., Gual, A., & Casas, M, 2011). Consequently, something must be done quickly to remedy this problem. Planned behavior theory may prove one of the most effective ways to help smokers quit. Smoking is linked to heart disease, lung disease, and other forms of cancer and for each person that succumbs to cancer, there are twenty more people living with a smoking related disease (Shiffman, 2010).  The theory of planned behavior is a cognitive based theory influenced by Skinner. This theory proposes that a person’s intention to perform a certain behavior is predicted by attitudes towards the perceived behavior. To be able to control this, one must be aware of positive and negative consequences that might influence the behavior. The use of tobacco is said to produce a feeling of relaxation and euphoria while creating nicotine dependence. The dependence on nicotine makes the behavior difficult to change or quit smoking. Consequently, for many smokers the positive outcomes of smoking greatly outweigh the negative consequences of tobacco use. With the theory of planned behavior, the smoker is able to identify behaviors that led to the sensation to smoke. When the person has identified these behaviors, they are able to alter these behaviors in order to break the addiction to nicotine. For example, “The fear of nicotine withdrawal symptoms has been associated with the majority of smoking cessation relapse” (Webb, T.L., Sniehotta, F.F., & Michie, S, 2010   ). I believe this is a great way to empower the clients to help themselves. When working with any person who has an addiction, evidence shows that the person must be willing to quit. When a person becomes aware of what triggers certain behaviors, they have been empowered with the knowledge to alter these behaviors. In the study conducted by Rise & Ommundsen, 2011, it was found that the actual behaviors of a person are what trigger the sensation to smoke. For example, many of the students reported that they smoked when they were at a club or bar (2011).

Describe one biomedical theory or model that is utilized in your specific practice area. Provide at least two examples related to its application

The social cognitive theory is grounded in the understanding that socialization and social support plays an integral part in a person’s life. Likewise, human behavior is learned from observation of others and from the environment that one is a part of. According toWebb, T.L., Sniehotta, F.F., & Michie, S, 2010, “Behavioral, environmental, and cognitive influences all play a role in social learning(2010).  Likewise, a person’s thoughts and behaviors are influenced by observation and hands on experience. In my field, I deal a lot with people who are substance abusers and I prefer to use the social cognitive theory to assist them with breaking the cycle of addiction.

Scenario I

I have a client who is addicted to crack cocaine. He is not the typical cocaine user according to the stereotypes placed upon users. He is educated, has a wife and child, and earns a great salary. Yet, he is addicted to cocaine. He has completed several programs in attempt to quit smoking crack, but they all end the same way. He has long periods of sobriety, but always returns to the addiction. We discovered that his problem was familiarity. His addiction was triggered by places and people. He and his family recently moved to another location and he has been able to remain clean for nearly 2 years.

Scenario II

I have also worked with adolescent drug users. I have a young man who has been coming to see me for nearly a year now. He uses marijuana and fights his mother when he is intoxicated. The mother was so distraught and couldn’t understand how her son turned out this way. In a private session with the now 19 year old, I learned that his father had been a long time drug user and was very abusive to the mother. My recommendations to the mother were for the both of them to remove themselves from the situation, but if she was not willing to go she should at least have her son removed because his actions were learned behaviors from his environment.

References

Rise, J., & Ommundsen, R. (2011). Predicting the intention to quit smoking: A comparative study among Spanish and Norwegian students. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 7(1), 143-163.

Shiffman, S. et al. (2010). Dynamic effects of self-efficacy on smoking lapse and relapse. Health Psychology, 19(4), 315-323.

Nieva, G., Valero, S., Bruguera, E., Andion, A., Trasovsres, M.V., Gual, A., & Casas, M. (2011). The alternative five factor model of personality, nicotine dependence and relapse past treatment for smoking cessation. Addictive Behaviors, 36(10), 965-971.

Webb, T.L., Sniehotta, F.F., & Michie, S. (2010). Using theories of behavior change to inform interventions for addictive behaviors. Addiction, 105, 1879-1892.