Social Cognitive Theory Explained

Social Cognitive Theory

• Human behavior determinants include personal, behavioral, and environmental factors.
• Personal factors are cognitive, emotional, and biological.
• Behavioral factors include actions and decisions.
• Environmental factors consist of the social and physical environment.

Core Concepts

• Reciprocal Determinism: Continuous interaction among personal, behavioral, and environmental factors influencing behavior.
• Observational Learning: Acquiring knowledge and skills by watching others.
• Reinforcements: Internal or external responses affecting the likelihood of repeated behavior.
• Expectations: Anticipated behavior outcomes.
• Self-Efficacy: Confidence in one's ability to act and persist.

Reciprocal Causation

• Dynamic interaction occurs between personal, behavioral, and environmental influences.
• Factors influence and are influenced by each other.

Observational Learning

• Learning behaviors by observing others.
• Example: A child learning to wash hands by watching a parent.

Environmental Factors and Health

• Examples include air pollution, neighborhood safety, healthcare access, food deserts, and social norms.

Self-Efficacy vs. Collective Efficacy

• Self-Efficacy: Individual belief in one's capability.
• Collective Efficacy: Group's shared belief in their combined ability to achieve goals.

Social Networks and Support

• Social networks are an individual's web of relationships.
• Functions include providing support, information, resources, and a sense of belonging.
• A church community or support group like AA serves as an example.

Structural Characteristics

• Size and density define the network.
• Example: A person with many close friends.

Dyadic Characteristics

• Refer to the nature of individual relationships.
• Example: Trust and reciprocity between two people.

Functions of Social Networks

• Support, information exchange, and companionship.
• Giving advice or emotional support are examples.

Types of Social Support

• Emotional: Empathy.
• Instrumental: Help with tasks.
• Informational: Advice.
• Appraisal: Feedback for self-evaluation.

Pathways

• Pathways link social networks and support to positive physical, mental, and social health.
• They influence health behaviors, regulate emotion, reduce stress, and enhance access to resources.

Buffering Effect

• Social support diminishes the adverse effects of stress on health.

Social Undermining

• Negative interactions or behaviors impede a person's well-being or goals.

Support Network

• A refined support network betters mental and emotional health.
• Small, high-quality support offers meaningful aid due to deeper, trusting relationships.

Social Networks vs. Social Support

• Social Networks: The web of relationships.
• Social Support: The specific help received through those networks.

Disability

• Individuals with disabilities encounter challenges in receiving quality healthcare.
• Challenges include physical barriers, provider bias, inadequate communication, inaccessible services, and insurance issues.

Disability Models

• Charity Model: Views disability as a tragedy needing sympathy.
• Medical Model: Focuses on disability as a defect to be cured.
• Social Model: Sees disability as societal barriers, not individual impairment.

Direct and Indirect Pathways

• Direct pathways are physical limitations affecting mobility or access.
• Indirect pathways are social exclusion, lower income, and education influencing other social determinants.

Family

• Direct pathways include parenting behaviors and health-related practices.
• Indirect pathways are socioeconomic status, education, and cultural norms

Family Health Factors

• Common factors are family structure, communication, cultural values, economic stability, and parental mental health.

Family Dynamics Impact

• Family dynamics affect stress, self-esteem, chronic disease management, and mental health outcomes.

Mental Health

• Direct pathways include stress hormones, poor sleep, and weakened immune function.
• Indirect pathways are reduced physical activity, poor diet, and substance use.

Social Determinants Intersection

• Mental health interacts with housing, employment, education, and social support.
• This interaction influences overall health outcomes.

Built Environment Influence

• Access to green spaces, walkability, noise levels, and housing quality affects psychological well-being.

Evidence-Based Interventions

• High repeatability/low complexity behaviors use reminders, cues, and reinforcement.
• An example of this is brushing teeth.
• High dependency/high-cost behaviors require social change, resources, or policy support.
• An example is exclusive breastfeeding for working mothers.

Research-Based vs. Practice-Based Evidence

• Research-Based Evidence: Derived from formal studies and trials.
• Practice-Based Evidence: Derived from field experience and real-world practice.
• Both are vital for well-rounded, context-sensitive public health decisions.

Best Practice Criteria

• Effectiveness.
• Efficiency.
• Relevance to the population.
• Sustainability.
• Replicability.
• Ethical soundness.