University Health Promotion: Behavior Change Analysis Assignment

This assignment analyzes a 32-year-old unemployed carpenter, Richard, who desires to change his smoking behavior. The assessment identifies his smoking habit, low mood, and potential COPD risk as key factors influencing his health. The assignment explores his willingness to change, his wife's support, and community support as strengths. Barriers include frequent smoking, low mood, lack of literacy, and limited resources. The paper suggests interventions like health literacy, motivational interviews, family involvement, and referrals to local organizations to overcome these barriers and promote smoking cessation through exercise and other support systems. The assignment emphasizes the importance of addressing both the physical and psychosocial aspects of behavior change, including Erikson's stages of development.

Running head: HEALTH CHANGING BEHAVIOR
HEALTH CHANGING BEHAVIOR
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note

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HEALTH CHANGING BEHAVIOR
a) Identification of client:
Richard, a 32 years old man who was a carpenter and recently is unemployed. His
smoking habit gradually increased after unemployment and he frequently feels demoralized and
low mood which is affecting his health condition. He was appointed to seek from the nurse who
will assist him in achieving his desired health behavior. His assessment for desired health
behavior was done through face to face to communication where he was asked a range of open-
ended questions. For assessing his pulmonary health, Pulmonary Function Tests were
conducted. After communication and assessment, it was evident that he wants to change his
tobacco use since he smokes two packets of the day every day which is affecting his pulmonary
health.
b) Identify the client's desired behavior change:
Richard is in his early adulthood who is living with his wife and two kids. Considering
his physical attributes, he agreed to involve in the exercise every morning which can support his
smoking cessation as desired behaviors change. He agreed to walk every morning in order to get
rid of the smoking habits since he was exhibiting poor pulmonary health and he is a borderline of
developing COPD. Considering his psychosocial attitudes, he is at the Intimacy vs.
Isolation stage of Erikson's stage of psychosocial development where his loving relationship with
his family, children, and community can contribute to desired changes in the behaviors (Darling-
Fisher, 2019).
Strengths of the client that for a successful health behavior change:
After in-depth assessment and communication with the client, it was identified that the
client is willing to change his unhealthy health behavior which can be considered as strength for

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HEALTH CHANGING BEHAVIOR
the client. He agreed that he will decrease his smoking every day and will contribute to a
successful health behavior change. He also agreed to consult the professionals regarding his risk
of developing COPD and routine checkups. His wife can support him in smoking cessation by
encouraging him to involve in physical exercise. The social support from the community
members and local health care professionals can be the strength of him that will enhance the
process of bringing the desired change.
Barriers of achievement of the behaviors:
His habit of smoking frequently and constant low mood are the barriers behind the
successful achievement of the barriers. Moreover, lack of adequate literacy, lack of motivation to
quit smoking and boredom are the potential barriers behind achievement. After communication,
it was observed that he lacks adequate skills to quit smoking and he has very limited financial
resources to seek support and limited access to limit the advance health care services. Lancaster
and Stead (2017), suggested that it is often observed that lack of education and unemployment
are the two crucial factors behind lack of literacy and limited resources which further lead to
smoking as observed in this case. Due to lack of employment individual frequently experience
low mood which leads to smoking as observed in this case (Taylor et al., 2017). The limited
financial resources are also observed due to a lack of resources. Since he lives in a rural area, he
has limited access to advance health care resources.
Describe methods to overcome the barriers in achieving the desired outcome:
The majority of the client is unable to change their health behaviors due to lack of
adequate literacy. In this context, health literacy can be provided to him for creating the
awareness regarding the health risk he is subjected to and for designing health promotional

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HEALTH CHANGING BEHAVIOR
intervention for him (Jacobs et al., 2016). The health literacy regarding smoking cessation
techniques and physical activity can be given to him through clear and effective communication
(Hoover et al., 2018). He can be involved in a health promotional program as well as for
improving his literacy with other individuals with similar desired behavioral changes according
to socio-cognitive theory. Socio-cognitive theory enables individuals to develop behavior by
mimicking the behaviors of individuals in the surroundings. He can be involved in a motivational
interview for increasing awareness and developing a healthy relationship with the client. He can
be motivated for pursuing smoking cessation therapy and exercise along with dietary changes
(Mahoney et al., 2018). His family members such as his wife and his children can be involved in
the motivational interview and health literacy for encouraging the client in overcoming the
barriers that hinder the desired behavior change (Mahoney et al., 2018). He can be referred to the
local organization for overcoming his issue associated with boredom and limited financial.
Moreover, the transport can be arranged for him so that he can join smoking cessation therapy. It
will empower him to improve behavioral and improve his health outcome.

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HEALTH CHANGING BEHAVIOR
Reference:
Darling-Fisher, C. S. (2019). Application of the Modified Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory:
25 Years in Review. Western journal of nursing research, 41(3), 431-458.
Hoover, D. S., Wetter, D. W., Vidrine, D. J., Nguyen, N., Frank, S. G., Li, Y., ... & Vidrine, J. I.
(2018). Enhancing smoking risk communications: the influence of health literacy and
message content. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 52(3), 204-215.
Jacobs, R. J., Lou, J. Q., Ownby, R. L., & Caballero, J. (2016). A systematic review of eHealth
interventions to improve health literacy. Health informatics journal, 22(2), 81-98.
Lancaster, T., & Stead, L. F. (2017). Individual behavioural counselling for smoking
cessation. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (3).
Mahoney, M. C., Erwin, D. O., Twarozek, A. M., Saad-Harfouche, F. G., Rodriguez, E. M., Sun,
X., ... & Fox, C. (2018). Leveraging technology to promote smoking cessation in urban
and rural primary care medical offices. Preventive medicine, 114, 102-106.
Taylor, G. M., Dalili, M. N., Semwal, M., Civljak, M., Sheikh, A., & Car, J. (2017). Internet‐
based interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,
(9).