Individual Factors

8/13/2019 Individual Factors

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By Caleb Fellowes Year 11 PDHPE 2012

Individual factors:

Definition: Individual factors are such as knowledge, skills, attitudes and genetics. They are

those factors unique to each person that can determine their level of health. - Source 1

Being able to acquire knowledge about health and learn about how to utilize health-relatedskills is a powerful determinant of a persons well being. This allows a person to distinguish

health problems (in both others and themselves), make important choices involving

behaviours and access health services when needed.

Peoples health-related skills, attitudes towards health and their knowledge of health can

influence their health/lifestyle behaviours. When people are informed about possible health

risks towards themselves they can be much more effectively motivated to choose healthier

lifestyle behaviours. For example, Tamika has easy access to the internet (via public libraries

and such) and thus could be influenced to change her unhealthy lifestyle which includes little

exercise and poor eating habits.

Since in todays day and age it has been increasingly easier to access information

electronically, (either through the internet, TV or other media available electronically), it has

resulted in the general public now having even greater access to information about health and

the effects of our lifestyle choices, especially with increased knowledge in the effects that our

lifestyle choices have on our body, than ever before.

However, despite even greater access to important information over the internet, many people

still choose unhealthy lifestyle choices that can lower the state of their health and that of

those around them. For example, Tamika has easy access to the internet yet she continues to

eat meals with poor nutritional in the wrong proportions.

Tamika left school in Year 10 and the reason for her doing this is unstated, however from the

information provided it can be assumed that it was a personal choice. It could have been for a

variety of reasons. Some of these possible reasons may be that she felt uncomfortable around

other students because of her weight or her level of intelligence in regards to her grades and

how well she was doing at school. Some of reasons may be that she was unmotivated to do

well in her studies and school work which could have led to (or been a result of) her

depression. Tamika also feels that no-one understands her. This indicates that she has poor

social health and may have struggled to relate and feel comfortable around other students.

This may have been another factor which influenced her to leave school before finishing year

12. One final factor that could have influenced Tamika to leave school early is that she had to

move houses many times in the past few years, this could have made it very hard to keep

close friends in contact and perhaps made it hard for Tamika to stay focused on her studies if

she was required to change school during those years.

Tamika also chooses not to live with her mother, which, although not specifically mentioned,

can be assumed is because Tamikas mother wants herto live a healthier lifestyle. Tamikas

mother expects her to take responsibility for herself and her health. This may includeTamikas mother prompting her to eat healthier meals,exercise more, find a job, etc. All of


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this may have made Tamika experience self-consciousness because she is an adult now and

should be able to take care of herself and not need a parent to look after her, however, she is

also not taking responsibility for her own health/life and this has resulted in her being

overweight, unemployed and unhealthy. Tamika has also been warned by her doctor that she

has a risk of devolving diabetes if she does not change her lifestyle, which may have createdanxiety in Tamika, and thus lowering her mental health and feeling more pressure from her

mother to prevent this disease and change her lifestyle.

Tamika also suffers from depression. The reason for Tamikas depression is not specifically

mentioned, however, it can be assumed that it is because she has poor health in several of her

dimensions. These may include factors such as her being overweight (leading to less

motivation, less energy and lower mental and social health as she may perceive herself as

being ugly and unlovable), her poor diet, comfort eating, her unemployment (low sense of

self worth), the fact that she has a higher rate of developing diabetes, low income, few

support groups, etc. The result of her depression on her health is that she has poorer mental,social, and physical health and is constantly tired (fatigued) and has little motivation.

Depression also causes Tamika to be less motivated to go back to school and get an

education, find employment or start living a healthier lifestyle such as going on a diet or

exercising more.

Tamikas genetics dont really play much of a role in her life apart from the fact that she is a

girl that is 21 years old. Any family history of i llnesses/diseases is not mentioned. Tamikas

genetics are a non-modifiable health determinant because she has no control over them.

Factors/Health Determinants from Individual Factors that are:

Modifiable: Non-Modifiable:

Weight (Physical Health) Age

Left school in Year 10 (Mental Health) Gender

Depression (Mental Health) Genetics

Unmotivated (Mental Health) Family History

Diet/Eating Habits (Physical Health) -

Tamika has control over determinants such as her weight/physical health, her leaving school

in Year 10, her depression, her little motivation, her eating habits. She has plenty of controlover here weight and eating habits as she can easily change her diet and lifestyle to that of a

more active and healthier person. She also has control over her little motivation and

depression but to a lesser extent and would be wise to seek help from a counsellor (or her

mother) to assist her in gaining more control. Lastly, Tamika also has control over leaving

Year 10 as she can simply go back to school/TAFE, however she has less control over this as

going back to school may be expensive for her especially as she is currently unemployed. To

overcome this she could perhaps get her mother to lend her some money to pay for school so

that Tamika can get an education and have more improved skills to get a job. Another

alternative would be for Tamika to get a part time job and use that money to pay for her ownschooling.


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Some people or groups that could provide support to Tamika are here mother, local GP, a

counsellor , a personal trainer, online support groups such as au.Reachout.com which is an

online depression support group, Centerlink, meditation expert etc.

Tamikas mother is her easiest and most likely the most comfortableperson that she can go to

for support. Tamikas mother already understands the majority of what Tamika is going

through and cares deeply about her. Tamikas mother also expects Tamika to take

responsibility for her life and so is already expecting that Tamika do something about her

health and her economic status. However, since Tamika may need some starting advice as to

how to turn her life around her mother could go withher to see their local GP and find out

how Tamika should go about renewing her health. Tamikas mother can also provide

financial support, somewhere to stay as well as someone to talk to.

Another person that could provide support to Tamika could be a counsellor. Counsellors can

be expensive but if Tamikas mother pays for a few sessions the results will be well worth it.

Tamika need to get rid of here depression ASAP if she wants to turn her life around and start

living a healthy lifestyle because as long as Tamika is feeling negative emotions she is going

to constantly feel unmotivated and fatigued. This would also result in Tamika struggling to

lose weight.

A third option for a person to provide support for Tamika could be a personal trainer. A

personal trainer could help Tamika to start getting into healthier dietary habits and start her

on an exercise plan. The advantage of a person trainer oppose to dieting alone is that Tamika

will getting ongoing support and encouragement and will be getting advice from a

professional. Another advantage will be that getting Tamikas weight under control andeating a better diet is that it will contribute to her attitude and perspective positively. This will

then help Tamika further in overcoming depression.

There are also other support groups such as online depression helpers and healthy living

groups that could/will contribute positively to Tamikas health. Some examples are

au.Reachout.com and WeightWatchers. Both of these support groups could offer Tamika

more positive encouragement and advice in losing weight, keeping a positive outlook on life

and also help her in her fight of overcoming depression.

Government agencies and support groups such as Centerlink could also help Tamika out infinding employment and receiving money to live off until she finds a well paying job (or

returns to school/TAFE).

Lastly, there are less vital yet still highly effective people Tamika can see which can help her

get her life back in balance. Some examples of these people are online coaches, over the

phone lifestyle/healthy eating coaches, mediation experts (online and offline). All of these

people can offer services (some free of charge) to help Tamika optimize her health back to its

higher and healthiest potential.


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Socio-cultural factors:

Definition: Socio-cultural factors are family, peers, media, religion, culture, etc. They relate

to society in which people live and the cultural practices and expectations that exist within

these communities.Source 2

The only family that Tamika has (which is mentioned) is her mother. Her mother is important

because she is her parent, and parents are responsible for ensuring physical needs such as

safe housing, food, clothing and medical requirements are met while also providing

emotional support such as love and care source 3.

Tamikas mother also plays an extremely important role in Tamikas life as the figure who is

promoting good health and positively influencing (however effectively) to behave in ways

that promote and protect Tamikas health.For example, if Tamika stays with her mother for a

period of time and her mother makes three meals a day that contain a wide variety of

nutritious foods in the appropriate amounts (a large breakfast and a small dinner before bed)

then not only will Tamikas mother be ensuring Tamika eats properly but she will also be

promoting in Tamika the importance of a healthy diet and all of its benefits.

It is unstated whether or not Tamika has many peers; however it can be assumed that Tamika

does at least have a few peers due to her moving schools several times and that she is 21

years old. Due to Tamikas age it is possible that she may have her license and maybe even a

car to drive around, because of this it would be possible for Tamika to visit her peers if she

felt she wanted to. Regardless of this it can be assumes Tamika has few social groups which

she can visit or talk to thus resulting in a desired need to feel accepted into society and a

lowered social and mental health. Tamikas physical health is also lowered due to her having

few social support groups as young people are often influenced by their peers. Therefore if

Tamika has few social support groups she is less likely to be influenced positively, for

example, if an individuals peers encourage health-enhancing behaviours (such as exercising

regularly) then the individual gains increased physical health.

The media plays an important role in shaping how we see ourselves, those around us and the

world we live in. It is what influences our development, knowledge, socialization, values and

opinions. It can also affect our mental and social health as the media affects the way we

perceive ourselves in society. For example, an overweight and unemployed young adult mayfind it hard to fit into society as them feel they are not successful. It is unstated whether or not

Tamika is influenced by the media, however it can be assumed that she is being somewhat

negatively influenced by the media as she is suffering from depression (most likely due to her

being overweight and then seeing skinny models on magazines and TV, etc ).

Religion has many health-enhancing benefits, which all contribute to a sense of meaning and

purpose in life, as well as a social support network and a clear moral code as to how we live

our lives. Religion is very important as it strongly affects our spiritual health and the morals

to which we live our lives. In Tamikas case it is unknown whether or not she is religious or

follows a particular religion; however, based on the information at hand it can be assumedthat even if Tamika did follow a religion at the time that she is not a strong/devoted believer.


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Some reasons for this are that she is overweight and therefore not following any strict dietary

guidelines and she is also suffering from depression and thus feels a low sense of self worth.

Culture refers to the acceptable behaviour in a particular society or community. It is unstated

as to what type of culture Tamika lives in and it is hard to determine whether or not she is

affected strongly by it. Cultural factors can have both negative and positive influences on

health. For example, in Australia, ethnicity may be in some instances be strongly related to

low socio-economic status. Social exclusion and isolation affect the health status of some

ethnic groups Source 4. Therefore it is possible, yet unlikely, that Tamika may find it hard

to integrate into society because of her ethnicity (which is also unstated).

Modifiable Non-Modifiable

Peers (Social Health) Family

Influence of Media (Social/Mental Health) Media

Religion (Spiritual Health) Culture

Tamika has control over her peers and how she relates to them, this may be difficult for her

as she has moved houses several times and so has had few long terms relationships with

people. Yet as Tamika starts to increase the levels of her physical (weight) and mental health

(depression) she will be able to gain greater social health and be able to relate to people

better, thus meaning she can make more friends, go out more, find a partner, etc. Tamika has

little control over what is portrayed in the media, yet what she does have control over in

regards to the media is how much she lets herself be influenced by it. For example, if Tamika

reads all those magazines with skinny and tanned models in them then she may being

influenced into thinking that is what she is supposed to look like and that there is something

wrong with her. Whereas if Tamika sees those models and understands that not everybody

looks like that in reality and that its ok to not be insanely skinny she will feel much better

about herself and she will have an increased self-esteem.

For Tamika to improve her social skills she can firstly try to get her physical and mental

health in check and once thats done she should go out more, perhaps try go back to school

(as both a way of getting an increase in her education/skills and improving her social skills),

try reading some self-help books on socially and maybe even go on some speed dating

courses, etc. As discussed previously Tamika cannot modify the media but shecan

modifythe influence it has over her in terms of her health and body image. Lastly, if Tamika is

seeking to fulfil all aspects of her health, including her spiritual health it would be a good

idea to explore some religions/morals to understand the way that she wants to live her life.

Tamikas mother could provide support in helping her to improve her social skills and help

her to be happy with herself and her body and try to find some sort of spiritual enlightenment.

This could be done by Tamikas mother taking her to church or such.

Other people or groups that could help Tamika become more spiritually fulfilled are people

who specialise in spiritual and new age healing or spiritual counselling. These people could


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help Tamika find fulfilment and inner peace which will increase and strength her spiritual,

mental and emotional health.

Socio-economic:

Definition: Socio-economic factors relate to a persons levels of income, education and employment.

Tamikas employment status (unemployed) is strongly related to her health status. Unemployed

people have a higher mortality rate and more disability and illness than those who are employed. Lack

of work can contribute to poor health in at least two ways: first, it reduces peoples ability to buy

health-related goods and services; second, it can have strong psychological and social impacts, such

as alienation, poor self-esteem and stigma associated with unemployment.

Among people who are employed, there is a relationship between occupation and health. Generally,

People working in manual and low-skilled jobs have poorer health, more disability and higher

mortality than people in managerial/professional occupations. A large part of this inequality has been

attributed to different levels of risk from exposure to physical hazards and to the psychological effectsof lower levels of control in ones job. Source 5

Tamika is currently unemployed. (employment, education, income)

Unemployment, left school in year 10, low income (centerlink, dole, government funding)

Can go back to school or TAFE to study and get a better education to help her get a better income.

Environmental Factors (geographical location, access to health services and technology)

Large city, plenty of easy access to internet and GP.

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Individual Factors