A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Behavioral Health Theories, Equity, and Disparities in Global Health : A Basic Process Model (2020)

McKinley, L. E., McAnally, K., Moyers, S. A., & Hagger, M. S. (2020). Behavioral Health Theories, Equity, and Disparities in Global Health : A Basic Process Model. In R. Haring, I. Kickbusch, D. Ganten, & M. Moeti (Eds.), Handbook of Global Health (pp. 1-23). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05325-3_58-1

JYU authors or editors

Hagger, Martin

Publication details

All authors or editors: McKinley, Lauren E..; McAnally, Kaylyn; Moyers, Susette A.; Hagger, Martin S.

Parent publication: Handbook of Global Health

Parent publication editors: Haring, Robin; Kickbusch, Ilona; Ganten, Detlev; Moeti, Matshidiso

eISBN: 978-3-030-05325-3

Publication year: 2020

Pages range: 1-23

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Place of Publication: Cham

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05325-3_58-1

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/73688

Additional information: Living reference work.

Abstract

Lack of participation in health-promoting behaviors and participation in behaviors that contribute to health risks have been linked to health disparities observed among individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. This chapter presents a basic process model to summarize the effects of socio-structural variables linked to health disparities – socioeconomic status, education, health literacy, ethnicity, and religiosity – on individuals’ beliefs and cognitions that determine behavior. Socio-structural characteristics were proposed to have a pervasive effect on individuals’ beliefs and other constructs from social cognition theories which impact their decisions to participate in prospective health behaviors and influence their health outcomes. The model provides a mechanistic explanation for health disparities among individuals from disadvantaged groups. A series of illustrative examples are presented of the application of the proposed model as a means to explain how characteristics linked to disadvantage relate to participation in health behaviors and outcomes via potentially modifiable mediating beliefs and social cognition constructs. Efforts to develop interventions targeting these modifiable beliefs will contribute to the enhancement of long-term global health and illness prevention.

Keywords: health differences; beliefs; social cognition; health literacy; health behaviour; socioeconomic factors; religiousness