Life Course Theory Essay

The first of the five life course theory principles is The Principle of Life Span Development. This states that health is a lifelong process, a journey rather than a destination. Therefore, one’s health can only be fully understood when taking into account that person’s life experiences and situations (Kotch, 2013). The second principle is The Principle of Human Agency, which discusses a person’s lifestyle and decisions, and how it impacts their health. Third is The Principle of Timing, which suggests that a person’s health is shaped by what happens to them. However, this principle also takes into account that the affects from these events are based on when they occur in a person’s life and for how long. The fourth principle, The Principle
The first key concept of the life course theory is trajectories. These are descriptors of health that describe a substantial period of the life span of a person. Second is transitions, which are similar to trajectories, but typically take place in a much more brief span of time. Lastly, is turning point, which is “a redirection of the life course through changes in situation, meaning, and/or behavior” (Kotch, 2013).
3.Discuss the three life course models of
The first life course model of heath is latency, which are “biological chains of risk” (Kotch, 2013), which show that early exposures lead to health risks later in life. Secondly is the cumulative model, which is a combined “accumulation” of risk or exposure. This model shows how exposures throughout a person’s life course can lead to an accumulated risk. Third is pathway, also known as the social trajectory model, which shows how early experiences in one’s life lead to later exposures, which will in turn effect that person’s health later in their life (Kotch,