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Cited by 8,437Behavioral Health and InterventionsHealth and Wellbeing ResearchMedia Influence and Health

The Health Belief Model: a decade later.

Open access
Janz, Nancy K., Becker, Marshall H.·1984·Health Education Quarterly
DOI 10.1177/109019818401100101
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Abstract

Since the last comprehensive review in 1974, the Health Belief Model (HBM) has continued to be the focus of considerable theoretical and research attention. This article presents a critical review of 29 HBM-related investigations published during the period of 1974-1984, tabulates the findings from 17 studies conducted prior to 1974, and provides a summary of the total 46 HBM studies (18 prospective, 28 retrospective). Twenty-four studies examined preventive-health behaviors (PHB), 19 explored sick-role behaviors (SRB), and three addressed clinic utilization. A "significance ratio" was constructed which divides the number of positive, statistically-significant findings for an HBM dimension by the total number of studies reporting significance levels for that dimension. Summary results provide substantial empirical support for the HBM, with findings from prospective studies at least as favorable as those obtained from retrospective research. "Perceived barriers" proved to be the most powerful of the HBM dimensions across the various study designs and behaviors. While both were important overall, "perceived susceptibility" was a stronger contributor to understanding PHB than SRB, while the reverse was true for "perceived benefits." "Perceived severity" produced the lowest overall significance ratios; however, while only weakly associated with PHB, this dimension was strongly related to SRB. On the basis of the evidence compiled, it is recommended that consideration of HBM dimensions be a part of health education programming. Suggestions are offered for further research.

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  • Some themes identified in this review overlap with previous models conceptualizing engagement with digital health interventions and general technology acceptance and health behavior.

    “Some of the themes identified in this review overlap with previous models conceptualizing engagement with digital health interventions, as well as general technology acceptance and health behavior, such as the Efficiency Model of Support [251], Technology Acceptance Model [253], and Health Belief Model [249].”

    From Barriers to and facilitators of user engagement with digital mental health interventions: Systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [249]

  • Severity of symptoms may increase interest in engaging with health interventions.

    “Although the severity of symptoms may increase interest in engaging with health interventions [249], symptoms related to depression, mood, and tiredness were found to hamper actual engagement.”

    From Barriers to and facilitators of user engagement with digital mental health interventions: Systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [249]

  • The Health Belief Model explains that adoption of health interventions is influenced by a person's belief in the severity of their illness or health symptoms and the perceived benefits of seeking treatment for these symptoms.

    “The Health Belief Model explains that adoption of health interventions is, among things, influenced by a person’s belief in the severity of their illness or health symptoms and the perceived benefits of seeking treatment for these symptoms”

    From Barriers to and facilitators of user engagement with digital mental health interventions: Systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [249]

  • Multiple theoretical models support traditional face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy.

    “Multiple theoretical models support traditional face-to-face CBT including the theory of reasoned action [24], the theory of planned behavior [2], social-cognitive theory [6], control theory [16], the health beliefs model [33] operant conditioning [53] and the biopsychosocial model of pain [64].”

    From Internet-enhanced management of fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial (2010) · cites this paper as [33]

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Taylor DW: A test of the health belief model in hypertension, in Haynes RB, Taylor DW, Sackett DL (eds): Compliance in Health Care. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press. 1979, pp 103-109.
  2. Harris R. Skyler JS, Linn MW, et al: Relationship between the health belief model and compliance as a basis for intervention in diabetes mellitus, in Psychological Aspects of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents. Pediatric Adolescent Endocrinology, Vol. 10. Basel, Karger, 1982, pp 123-132.

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Authors
Janz, N. K., & Becker, M. H.
Affiliations
University of Michigan (US)
Venue
Health Education Quarterly
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
1984-03
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
1-47
ISSN
0195-8402 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1177/109019818401100101
OpenAlex
W2134740567
Cited by
8,437
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 331 · 2025: 390 · 2024: 368 · 2023: 396 · 2022: 461 · 2021: 493 · 2020: 464 · 2019: 308 · 2018: 312 · 2017: 330 · 2016: 322 · 2015: 345 · 2014: 298 · 2013: 332 · 2012: 242
FWCI
50.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Health Education Quarterly (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Deep Blue (University of Michigan) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Wellbeing Research
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Media Influence and Health
Keywords
Health Belief Model, preventive health behavior, sick role behavior, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, clinic utilization
MeSH terms
Prohibitins, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Alcohol Drinking, Antihypertensive Agents, Attitude to Health, Automobile Driving, Behavior, Child, Child Health Services, Child, Preschool, Diabetes Mellitus, Female, Genetic Testing, Health Surveys, Humans, Infant, Kidney Failure, Chronic, Life Style, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Mothers, Office Visits, Otitis Media, Patient Compliance, Primary Prevention, Risk, Sick Role, Smoking, Tay-Sachs Disease

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