| Course | IHP 200 Wellness Across the Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Module | Module 2 |
| Paper type | short paper applying behavior change models |
| Length | About 1,010 words, 6 pages |
| Format | APA 7 student paper |
| School | Southern New Hampshire University |
| Program | BS Health Sciences |
| Updated | September 2026 |
Free sample paper for IHP 200 Module 2
Someday Is Not a Plan: Applying Two Behavior Change Models to a Patient Who Smokes
[Student Name]
Southern New Hampshire University
IHP 200: Wellness Across the Lifespan
Module Two Short Paper
[Instructor Name]
[Date]
Someday Is Not a Plan: Applying Two Behavior Change Models to a Patient Who Smokes
Most smokers know smoking is harmful, and many say they want to quit, yet the gap between knowing and doing can last for years. Behavior change models help explain that gap and suggest ways to close it. This paper applies two widely used models, the transtheoretical model and the health belief model, to a patient seen at Brookside, the composite family clinic used in these samples, and uses research on how well the models predict behavior to plan support that fits where he is.
The Patient
Mr. D. is a 52-year-old warehouse supervisor who has gone through roughly twenty cigarettes daily since age twenty-two. At his annual visit he mentioned a morning cough and shortness of breath when climbing stairs at work. When the physician advised him to quit, he said, "I know, I will someday. It is just not a good time." He tried once, five years ago, and relapsed after three weeks during a stressful move. He says cigarettes help him get through long shifts and are the only break he gets. His wife quit last year, and his teenage daughter has asked him to stop.
The Transtheoretical Model
Prochaska and Velicer (1997) described behavior change as a process that unfolds over time through stages. People in precontemplation are not intending to change in the foreseeable future, often because they are unaware of or discouraged about the problem. Those in contemplation intend to change within about six months and are weighing pros and cons. Preparation means planning to act soon and often having taken small steps. Action refers to recent, visible change, and maintenance to sustaining change and preventing relapse. The model also describes processes people use to move between stages, the balance of perceived pros and cons, called decisional balance, and self-efficacy, the confidence to change in difficult situations. Its central practical claim is that interventions work best when matched to a person's stage.
Mr. D.'s Stage
Mr. D. is in contemplation. He acknowledges the harm, has noticed symptoms and intends to quit at some point, but he has not set a date or taken steps. His decisional balance is close to even: health, his wife's success and his daughter's request weigh toward quitting, while stress relief and the break cigarettes provide weigh against. His self-efficacy is low because of his previous relapse. According to the model, pushing him to set a quit date immediately may backfire. Stage-matched strategies for contemplation include raising awareness of personal benefits, helping him reevaluate how smoking fits with the person he wants to be and tipping the decisional balance by addressing the cons.
The Health Belief Model
Janz and Becker (1984) reviewed a decade of research on the health belief model, whose premise is that a person moves to protect their health once four judgments line up: this could happen to me, it would be bad, doing something would help and the obstacles are not too steep. Cues to action, such as symptoms or advice, can trigger change, and later versions added self-efficacy. Across the studies they reviewed, perceived barriers emerged as the most powerful single dimension, followed by perceived susceptibility and benefits.
Mr. D.'s Beliefs
Applied to Mr. D., his perceived susceptibility is rising because of his cough and breathlessness. His perceived severity is moderate; he worries about his lungs but thinks serious disease is years away. He sees benefits, such as better breathing and pleasing his family. His barriers are strong: fear of losing his stress relief and his only break at work and the memory of failing before. His cues to action include his symptoms, the physician's advice and his daughter's request.
Table 1. Mr. D.'s Beliefs Through the Health Belief Model
| Construct | Mr. D.'s view | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Perceived susceptibility | Rising; cough and breathlessness | Link symptoms to smoking clearly |
| Perceived severity | Moderate; disease seems distant | Discuss near-term effects on breathing and work |
| Perceived benefits | Better breathing; family approval | Reinforce and personalize |
| Perceived barriers | Stress relief, work breaks, past relapse | Main focus of support |
| Cues to action | Symptoms, physician advice, daughter | Use at each visit |
| Self-efficacy | Low after relapse | Build confidence with small steps |
Note. Constructs follow the model as reviewed by Janz and Becker.
What the Research Says About Prediction
Carpenter (2010) conducted a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies testing whether health belief model variables predict later behavior. Perceived benefits and perceived barriers were the strongest predictors, while perceived susceptibility and severity were weak predictors, especially severity. The findings suggest that simply warning people about how serious smoking can be, a common approach, may do less than helping them see concrete benefits and lower the barriers that stand in the way.
A Combined Plan
The two models point in the same direction. For the next visit, the clinic team should ask Mr. D. what he would gain from quitting, in his own words, and what worries him most, rather than repeating warnings. His barriers deserve the most attention. The team can help him plan alternative breaks at work, such as a short walk or a call to his wife, discuss nicotine replacement or medication to reduce cravings and connect him with the state quitline for counseling. Reviewing what went wrong during his last attempt can turn the relapse into a lesson about stress planning. When he signals readiness, the team can help him set a quit date, moving him into preparation.
Limits of the Models
Both models focus on individual thinking and say little about the environment. Mr. D.'s workplace allows smoking breaks but no other breaks, a structural barrier no amount of motivation will fully overcome. The stages of the transtheoretical model have also been criticized as somewhat arbitrary. These limits suggest adding attention to his work environment, perhaps by encouraging him to ask his employer about break policies.
Conclusion
Mr. D. is a contemplator whose barriers outweigh his confidence. The transtheoretical model warns against rushing him, the health belief model identifies what holds him back and research on prediction points support toward benefits and barriers. Together they turn his someday into a series of steps his clinic can help him take.
References
Carpenter, C. J. (2010). A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of health belief model variables in predicting behavior. Health Communication, 25(8), 661-669. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2010.521906
Janz, N. K., & Becker, M. H. (1984). The health belief model: A decade later. Health Education Quarterly, 11(1), 1-47. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019818401100101
Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F. (1997). The transtheoretical model of health behavior change. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12(1), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-12.1.38
What the IHP 200 Module 2 instructions ask for
The IHP 200 behavior change assignment usually asks you to explain one or more behavior change models and apply them to a person trying to change a health behavior, such as smoking, eating or activity. Expect two to four APA 7 pages. Describe each model accurately, then apply every part of it to your person: their stage, their beliefs, their barriers and their confidence. Use research on how well the models work to decide where support should focus, and propose specific strategies matched to the person's situation. Note the models' limits, especially their focus on the individual rather than the environment around them. IHP 200 graders notice clean headings in IHP 200 papers. IHP 200 names and dates need checking before IHP 200 submission.
How this IHP 200 Module 2 behavior change short paper example is built
This paper applies two models to a 52-year-old warehouse supervisor who has smoked for thirty years and plans to quit someday. Prochaska and Velicer's transtheoretical model places him in contemplation with an even decisional balance and low self-efficacy after a past relapse. The health belief model, reviewed by Janz and Becker, maps his rising susceptibility, moderate severity, clear benefits and strong barriers in a table. Carpenter's meta-analysis shows benefits and barriers predict behavior best, so the plan focuses on replacing his work breaks, medication and quitline support, while noting the models' limited attention to his workplace. IHP 200 students can reuse this structure for IHP 200 work. IHP 200 claims here trace to cited IHP 200 sources.
Where the IHP 200 Module 2 rubric puts the points
Behavior change papers in IHP 200 are commonly marked on accurate description of the models, thorough application to the person, use of evidence to guide strategy, specificity of recommendations, recognition of limitations, organization and APA 7. Strong papers apply each construct to concrete details of the person's life and explain why strategies fit their stage and beliefs. Papers lose points when models are defined but not applied, when strategies are generic, such as telling the person to try harder, or when environmental barriers are ignored. A table mapping constructs to the person often helps graders follow the analysis. IHP 200 marks favor careful formatting across IHP 200 sections. IHP 200 citations keep every IHP 200 argument credible.
IHP 200 Module 2 help: the mistakes that cost points
In IHP 200, behavior change papers often lose points for textbook definitions without application, for placing a person in the wrong stage, for strategies that ignore stage and for skipping limitations. Another frequent weakness is relying on scare tactics, which research suggests work poorly. Describe models briefly, apply every construct, use evidence on prediction and match strategies to the person. If your assignment names a different model, such as social cognitive theory, add it to your IHP 200 notes so the paper applies that model instead. IHP 200 drafts start well from a IHP 200 outline. IHP 200 feedback already received guides IHP 200 revisions.
Get IHP 200 Module 2 written to your instructions
Send the IHP 200 behavior change prompt and the person or behavior you are writing about. The paper will describe the models accurately, apply each part to the person, use evidence to focus support and propose stage-matched strategies, within 24 to 48 hours, free the first time. The paper above is an original model document written by our desk, not a submitted student paper and not an official Southern New Hampshire University document.
More IHP 200 papers and related BS Health Sciences samples
- IHP 200 Module 1 Discussion: What Wellness Really Covers
- IHP 355 Module 4 Project One: EMTALA Compliance Gap Analysis
- IHP 410 Module 1 Population Health Discussion
- IHP 340 Module 6 Methods Identification Worksheet
- HCM 345 Module 7 Final Project White Paper
IHP 200 Module 2 questions, answered
Where can I find a free IHP 200 Module 2 Behavior Change Short Paper sample?
Read the whole paper on this page: the transtheoretical model and health belief model applied to a patient thinking about quitting smoking.
What are the stages of the transtheoretical model?
Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance, with strategies best matched to a person's current stage.
What are the parts of the health belief model?
Perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers, plus cues to action and self-efficacy.
Which health belief model factors best predict behavior?
A meta-analysis found perceived benefits and barriers were the strongest predictors, while severity was weak.
Why not just warn smokers about disease?
Research suggests fear of severity predicts behavior poorly; addressing barriers and personal benefits tends to help more.