Health behavior

Decision making on help-seekingDeterminants of illnessbehavior *Perception of symptomsCategories of illness behavior determinantsVisibility and recognition of symptomsExtent to which symptoms are perceived as dangerousAvailable information, knowledge, and cultural assumptionsNature of symptomsExtent to which symptoms disrupt family, work, and othersocial activitiesFrequency and persistence of symptomsAmount of tolerance for the symptomsInterpretation of symptoms/signsBasic needs that lead to denialOther needs competing with illness responsesResidual categoryCompeting interpretations that can be given to symptomsonce they are recognizedPsychological and financial costs (expressed in money,time and effort loss; costs related to social distance, stigma,and humiliation)* Determinants of illness behavior occurring at two levels : (1) self-defined, and (2) other-definedSource: Mechanic (1978, 1987, 1992)