A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Health Belief Model Variables in Predicting Behaviors

• In Event: Innovative message strategies to improve health

Abstract

The Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, 1966) was constructed to explain which beliefs should be targeted in communication campaigns to cause positive health behaviors. A meta-analysis of 17 studies (2,715 subjects) was conducted on longitudinal studies. Benefits and barriers were consistently the strongest predictors. The length of time between measurement of belief and behavior and types of outcome variables were identified as moderators of the HBM's predictive power.

Author

• Christopher Carpenter, Michigan State University