Social Change and Health Behavior

Walden’s mission of effecting positive social change is defined by a commitment to improve the human and social condition by creating and applying ideas, strategies, and actions to promote the worth, dignity, and development of society. These efforts are supported by a learning experience that emphasizes a scholar-practitioner model, built on the belief that knowledge is most valuable when it is put to use in the interest of the greater good. As a result, Walden students, alumni, and faculty help bring the University’s mission to life by participating in and leading research, conferences, and service initiatives and projects that are making a difference in communities around the world. Health psychology, and health behavior change initiatives in particular, have great potential for effecting social change. Whatever path your career takes you in, consider this potential for good inherent in your work.

For this Discussion, select a health behavior issue of personal interest and consider the social change implications for changing behavior related to this issue.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 a brief description of the health behavior issue you selected. Then, explain how health education efforts related to this issue might effect positive social change on a community and social level. Be specific and provide examples to illustrate your point.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Required Resources

Readings

Course Text: Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Chapter 15, “Improving Health Through Community Engagement, Community Organization and Community Building”

Article: American Psychological Association. (2010). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.

Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

Article: Davis-Coelho, K., Waltz, J., Davis-Coelho, B. (2000). Awareness and presention of bias against fat clients in psychotherapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31(6), 682–684.

Retrieved from the Walden Library using the PsycARTICLES database.

Article: Lott, B. (2002). Cognitive and behavioral distancing from the poor. American Psychologist, 57(2), 100–110.

Retrieved from the Walden Library using the PsycARTICLES database.

Article: Walden University. (n.d.). Commitment to social change.

Retrieved August 4, 2011, from http://www.waldenu.edu/News-and-Events/35187.htm

Article: Wedding, D., Kohout, J., Mengel, M. B., Ohlemiller, M., Ulione, M., Cook, K., … Braddock, S. (2007). Psychologists’ knowledge and attitudes about fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and alcohol use during pregnancy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 38(2), 208–213.

Retrieved from the Walden Library using the PsycARTICLES database.

Websites

American Psychological Association, Health Psychology Division 38. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.health-psych.org/

American Academy of Health Behavior. (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2011, from http://www.aahb.org/

Society of Behavioral Medicine. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.sbm.org/