Tutorial 6: Cognitive Development and Health Promotion

Question 1

Health promotion

Answer 1

The science or art of helping people change their lifestyle/behaviours to move toward a state of optimal health

Question 2

Levels for health promotion interventions

Answer 2

1. Individual: peer interventions, mentoring programs
2. Family: parent training, family interventions
3. School: curriculum-based education, school policies
4. Community: local environment change
5. National: health services, employment, training, law and policy changes, social marketing, socio-economic changes

Question 3

Importance of Piaget’s theory in health promotion

Answer 3

Effective health promotion material must account for developmental stage of the target audience to ensure that the messages are appropriate and understood (concept of accomodation and assimilation are important)

Question 4

Importance of Vgotsky’s theory in health promotion

Answer 4

Health promotion interventions need to be mindful of the skills and knowledge of target audience. Information presented should be within their Zone of Proximal Development and Scaffolding their learning

• Health promotion campaigns must use different methods for children and adolescence

Psychological/cognitive/social development knowledge/theories can help health promotion developers decide which tactics to use to design their campaign for maximum effectiveness

Question 5

Health promotion in childhood

Answer 5

Psychological development: Preoperational thinking: very literal in understanding of the world; poor memory skills

Social development: Strongly dependent on parents and/or caregivers; modelling behaviour

Implications for health promotion: Health promotion targets parents; is indirect and usually targeting familiarity

Question 6

Health promotion in early adolescence

Answer 6

Pscychological development: Concrete thinking but grasp of moral concepts; assessment and adjustment of body image

Social development: Realising difference from parents; start of strong peer group; start of health risk behaviours

Implications for health promotion: Start health promotion messages using concrete motivators; focus on “here” and now”: use peer educators or role models; current physical health can be an important motivator

Question 7

Health promotion in mid-adolescence

Answer 7

Psychological development: Abstract thinking develops, mainly in relation to others (self is ‘bullet proof’)

Social development: Increasing autonomy (away from parents)

Implications for health promotion: Target health promotion messages as for early adolescence; specifically address issues of risk to self as well as others

Question 8

Health promotion in late adolescence

Answer 8

Psychological development: Complex abstract thought and further development of identity and body image

Social development: social autonomy; splitting of peer group into smaller groups and couples

Implications for health promotion: Health promotion messages can address many possible outcomes of an action; targeting of messages at partners and close friends