Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

Which of the following is not a construct from the Health Belief Model?

1. Susceptibility

2. Cues to action

3. Decisional balance

4. Barriers

The correct answer is: Decisional balance

The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a psychological model that seeks to explain and predict health-related behaviors by focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of individuals. The constructs of this model include factors that influence individuals' decisions related to their health. Susceptibility refers to an individual's perception of their vulnerability to a health issue. Cues to action are external events or information that motivate individuals to take health-related actions, while barriers refer to the perceived obstacles that may prevent someone from taking a desired action, such as engaging in preventive health behavior. Decisional balance, on the other hand, is not a construct of the Health Belief Model. It is more commonly associated with other behavior change theories, such as the Transtheoretical Model (or Stages of Change model). In that context, decisional balance involves weighing the pros and cons of changing a behavior, which is outside the focus of the HBM. Understanding these constructs helps in assessing how individuals perceive and respond to health issues, and it aids public health professionals in developing targeted interventions that address these specific beliefs and perceptions.