Open AccessWhat is a health expectation? Developing a pragmatic conceptual model from psychological theory
Author(s) -
Janzen Jennifer Amy,
Silvius James,
Jacobs Sarah,
Slaughter Susan,
Dalziel William,
Drummond Neil
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2006.00363.x
Subject(s) - ambiguity , conceptual model , terminology , psychology , expectancy theory , cognition , outcome (game theory) , disease , phenomenon , psychological theory , health care , cognitive psychology , applied psychology , social psychology , medicine , computer science , epistemology , psychiatry , linguistics , philosophy , mathematics , mathematical economics , pathology , database , economics , programming language , economic growth
Examination of the existing literature in respect of health expectations revealed both ambiguity in relation to terminology, and relatively little work in respect of how abstract theories of expectancy in the psychological literature might be used in empirical research into the influence of expectations on attitudes and behaviours in the real world. This paper presents a conceptual model for the development of health expectations with specific reference to Alzheimer's disease. Method Literature review, synthesis and conceptual model development, illustrated by the case of a person with newly diagnosed, early‐stage Alzheimer's disease, and her caregiver. Outcome Our model envisages the development of a health expectation as incorporating several longitudinal phases (precipitating phenomenon, prior understanding, cognitive processing, expectation formulation, outcome, post‐outcome cognitive processing). Conclusion Expectations are a highly important but still relatively poorly understood phenomenon in relation to the experience of health and health care. We suggest a pragmatic conceptual model designed to clarify the process of expectation development, in order to inform future research into the measurement of health expectations and to enhance our understanding of the influence of expectations on health behaviours and attitudes.