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Ecological models and multilevel interventions
Peter Winch
Health Behavior Change at the Individual,
Household and Community Levels
224.689
Ecological (multi-level) models
We have been talking about different levels in this course, but mostly about one level at a time
A number of authors have developed elaborate models that specify all of the different levels that affect behavior, all in one model
Ecological (multi-level) models
Differences between these formal ecological models and the ‘individualhousehold-community’ model we have been using so far in the course:
– More and different levels specified
– Emphasis on effect of rules, regulations and guidelines implemented at different levels SEM of McLeroy et al. 1988
The Social Ecological Model (SEM) of McLeroy et al. 1988
Two key concepts
– Multiple levels: Behavior affects and is affected by multiple levels of influence
– Reciprocal causation: Individual behaviors shapes, and is shaped by, the social environment
• Similar idea in Social Cognitive Theory
Reciprocal causation example
Individual behavior
Social norms
Rules, regulations, guidelines Reciprocal causation example:
Seat belt use
Seat belt use by individuals
References: Quarterly. 1988; 15: 351-377. Approach of Blum et al. 2002 Example of model where interpersonal level is Ecological model of adolescent behavior (Blum, McNeely, & Nonnemaker, 2002)