Pender’s Health Promotion Model Essay

Theory Description

Pender’s Health Promotion Theory suggests that one’s ability to have a positive health dynamic is based on individual characteristics such as behavior and personal factors (including psychological, biological, social, and cultural). This correlates with the Christian idea that one’s joyful heart is medicine, while a broken spirit is physically destructive (Proverbs 17:22, King James Bible). The commitment to a plan of action is influenced by perceived limitations, benefits, interpersonal relationships, and other circumstances that ultimately affect one’s health-promoting behavior.

Internal Criticism

Barnum’s approach, as exemplified prior, makes a distinction between internal and external criticism. The internal criticism analyses factors examine the model itself without covering its implementation in certain areas of life (McEwen & Wills, 2019). The model suggests identifying characteristics such as clarity, consistency, adequacy, logical development, and level of theory development.

Clarity

HPM clearly states that the idea of health promotion is multidimensional, and all the levels that impact one adherence to a health plan are interconnected based on their relationship and the overall outcome. Jalili Bahabadi et al. (2020) have found that social interactions and perceived barriers and opportunities are directly linked to health promotion for pregnant women. Thus, the clarity of the theory is exemplified through the multidimensional approach and broad spectrum of the linked systems that impact one’s well-being.

Consistency

HPM is consistent with the general notion of healthy societies being facilitators of healthy individuals. Based on the model exemplified prior, an individual’s well-being is both subjective and objective since the measures and the adherence to health behaviors depend on multiple factors. HPM illustrates that perceived benefits and limitations, as well as interactions with the environment, have a vital role (Habibzadeh et al., 2021). Such an approach is consistent since the model does not illustrate a one-dimensional image of a patient complying with relevant health advice but rather identifies additional concepts that may facilitate or compromise the efforts.

Adequacy

Both empirical and pragmatic uses of the theory exemplify its adequacy. On the one hand, studies have shown the HPM to be effective in improving the health of patients through minimizations of factors that facilitate negative adherence and maximization of those contributing to health promotion. For example, a study examining patients who have been advised to exercise based on their heart conditions has shown that applying the model is effective in maintaining healthy behavior (Karataş & Polat, 2021). On the other hand, the pragmatic benefits are evident as the concepts can be applied in singular patients as well as implemented on societal levels.

Logical Development

Logical development implied the need for the HPM to be developed based on general health concerns, societal problems related to well-being, and other similar aspects. The theory is applicable due to the consideration of levels that are and will remain essential, such as socio-cultural aspects of one’s life, environment, and subjectivity. Thus, the logical development of Pender’s Health Promotion Model is exemplified through the recent healthcare shift towards the consideration of a person’s individual preferences, characteristics, and external environments.

Level of Theory Development

As a predictive theory, HPM is based on the notion that health outcomes can be measured and altered through interventions. Moreover, the example mentioned prior has illustrated that such an approach can and has been used in practice (Karataş & Polat, 2021). Since the model has been applied in studies and integrated into nursing practice, it can be noted that the level of development is adequate. It is suggested by the literature on the subject and the research highlighting the beneficial results observed as a result of the model being utilized in nursing settings.

External Environment

Based on the criteria chosen for the theory analysis, the external environment illustrates how HPM can be applied and whether it may impact multiple areas and positively influence people from a broader perspective. Thus, reality convergence, utility, significance, discrimination, scope, and complexity will be discussed. These criteria are designed for the determination of the practical principles of the Pender’s Health Promotion Model and its use under the condition of real environments instead of theoretica