Dr. Andrew Hatchett
Physical Dimensions of Health within Social Cognitive Theory
The physical health of a person depends on such factors as physical development predetermined by heredity, physical fitness, which determines the body’s ability to exercise, as well as adaptive reserves that provide mobilization of the body when adapting to external environmental conditions. Physical dimensions of health are interdependent with mental and emotional health, which characterize the adequacy of behavior and the ability of the human body to function optimally in complex or changing conditions. In addition, physical health directly depends on socio-cultural factors, including income level, education, choice of social environment, and behavioral pattern in relation to health (Neely-Prado, Alejandra et al.). These factors provide access to quality medical services, literacy and interest in maintaining physical and mental health.
Given the complex nature of health, the development of skills to strengthen and maintain physical health becomes the basis of general human health. Development of behavioral skills aimed at increase of physical activity directly impacts on quality of life and general wellbeing of people. Adequate and reasonable level of physical activity allows maintaining optimal functioning of organism including mental and emotional health. For example, indicators of physical health such as blood pressure and immune response affect the emotional well-being of the individual, coupled with an active social life and the ability more effectively to overcome stress in everyday life. In turn, positive social contacts (support of family, friends, and community) provide a powerful motivation to maintain health and overcome the challenges associated with changing environmental conditions, stress and poor physical health (Stults-Kolehmainen & Rajita).
The elements forming physical health are interconnected with internal environment that determines physical, mental and emotional adaptive abilities of the person. External environment provides conditions for effective maintaining of health or opposite creates barriers to health saving. However, situations influencing internal and external environments in high degree depends on behavioral pattern. For example, the person can avoid some actions or behavior if he is in risk group on relevant criteria (hereditary predisposition to diabetes, overweight, and other chronic diseases). The behavior associated with physical health is associated with awareness, the formation of motivation and the development of behavioral skills to maintain physical wellbeing, reduce the risks of chronic diseases, prevent psycho-emotional disorders through physical activity, etc. (Brown, Cassandra L. et al.).
The social-cognitive theory described in the book Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory by Bandura (1986) focuses on how human behavior is formed due to such variables as the external environment, behavioral patterns, and cognitive characteristics and how they affect physical health. The external environment that affects physical health includes ecology, social environment, working conditions and social connections. However, according to social-cognitive theory, self-efficacy and the ability to evaluate the consequences of behavior have a critical effect on human health. Bandura considers self-efficacy as the willingness and ability of a person to perform certain actions, while assessing the risks of behavior, controlling the result of the action and its consequences (Bandura). Behavioral patterns influence the formation of lifestyle both through the censure of bad habits (smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction) and through the dissemination of information about the effects of physical inactivity, overeating, etc. Cognitive characteristics of a person affect emotional stability and the ability to adapt to external conditions, which determines the level of motivation in the formation and development of behavioral skills aimed at maintaining physical health.
Work Cited
Bandura, Albert. Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory.
Prentice-Hall, 1986, p. 617.
Brown, Cassandra L. et al. “Cognitive activity mediates the association between social
activity and cognitive performance: A longitudinal study.” Psychology and aging vol. 31,8 (2016): 831-846. doi:10.1037/pag0000134
Stults-Kolehmainen, Matthew A, and Rajita Sinha. “The effects of stress on physical
activity and exercise.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 44,1 (2014): 81-121. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0090-5