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Applying the Health Belief Model to Psychiatric Nursing

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Abstract

This paper examines how interdisciplinary theories, particularly the Health Belief Model (HBM), inform and enhance nursing practice — with a specific focus on psychiatric nursing and eating disorders. Drawing on the work of McKenna (2020), the paper argues that nursing cannot rely solely on its own theoretical frameworks; insights from other disciplines are essential for improving patient care. The paper outlines the core components of the HBM — perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy — and applies them to understanding and modifying the eating behaviors of individuals with eating disorders. It concludes that the HBM offers a valuable framework for psychiatric nurses seeking to promote healthier behaviors in this patient population.

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What makes this paper effective

Clearly connects an interdisciplinary theory (the Health Belief Model) to a specific clinical context (eating disorders in psychiatric nursing), making the argument concrete and applied.
Systematically walks through each component of the Health Belief Model before applying them, ensuring the reader understands the framework before seeing it in action.
Integrates multiple peer-reviewed sources alongside a clinical reference (NLM) to support both theoretical and practical claims.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates theory application — taking an established model from behavioral health science and mapping its components (perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy) onto a real clinical problem. This technique shows the student can move beyond description toward analytical use of theory as a practical tool in nursing care.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a rationale for interdisciplinary theory in nursing, then provides a focused explanation of the Health Belief Model. It transitions into a clinical overview of eating disorders, and closes by applying the HBM's components directly to eating behavior change. The reference list follows APA formatting conventions throughout.

Introduction: Interdisciplinary Theories in Nursing

Beyond middle-range theories, theories from various disciplines play an important role in nursing practice, given that knowledge gained from those disciplines directly impacts the health and wellbeing of patients. According to McKenna (2020), it is often difficult to solve human problems within individual disciplines without assistance from others. For this reason, theories from outside nursing can be highly useful to the profession, as ideas drawn from other disciplines guide nursing practice and research. As a result, nurses' knowledge expands, leading to improved patient care.

This paper discusses how theories from various disciplines impact nursing practice — specifically psychiatric nursing. The focus is on the Health Belief Model and how it can be applied to mental health conditions such as eating disorders.

Overview of the Health Belief Model

The Health Belief Model is a theory used to predict and explain health behavior (Boskey, 2020). According to Boskey, individuals' health behaviors are shaped by their perceptions about health — that is, an individual's beliefs about health play a significant role in determining their health behaviors.

The likelihood that an individual will change a health behavior depends on several factors. First, individuals are more likely to change their behavior when they perceive the consequences of that behavior as severe. Second, individuals change their behavior when they believe they are personally at risk or susceptible to negative outcomes (Boskey, 2020). Third, behavior change is more achievable when individuals recognize meaningful benefits associated with making the change. Finally, perceived barriers — both physical and social — affect how individuals respond to the prospect of behavior change. Overcoming these barriers is therefore essential to increasing an individual's willingness to adopt healthier behaviors (Boskey, 2020).

Eating Disorders and Psychiatric Nursing

The Health Belief Model plays a significant role in psychiatric nursing. Psychiatric nursing involves the care of persons with mental health disorders. Individuals with eating disorders, in particular, tend to experience serious problems with their eating behaviors and their thoughts about food (National Library of Medicine, 2020). According to the NLM (2020), eating disorders are caused by a range of factors, including behavioral factors, and if left untreated can lead to kidney and heart problems or even death.

Treatment of eating disorders includes pharmacological interventions such as mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants (National Library of Medicine, 2020). In addition, nutritional counselors can educate individuals about healthy eating, and psychotherapy-based behavioral approaches help patients address and modify negative behaviors.

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Applying the Health Belief Model to Eating Disorders · 120 words

"HBM components applied to eating behavior change"

Conclusion

In sum, the Health Belief Model offers psychiatric nurses a practical and evidence-informed framework for understanding and influencing the eating behaviors of individuals with eating disorders. By addressing perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy, nurses can tailor interventions that move patients toward healthier, more sustainable behaviors.

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Key Concepts in This Paper

Health Belief Model Psychiatric Nursing Eating Disorders Perceived Severity Self-Efficacy Behavior Change Perceived Barriers Interdisciplinary Theory Mental Health Healthy Eating