Discuss the relationship between susceptibility, severity and perceived threat as constructs

Answer 1

These three constructs represent the core of the health belief model. If susceptibility is high and severity is high, perceived threat is high. Similarly, if susceptibility is low and severity is low, perceived threat is low. A moderate level of threat can develop through a combination of conditions: If an individual believes herself to be at a low risk for a disease but the perceived severity of the disease is high, then she is said to have a moderate perceived threat for the disease or health condition. Conversely, she may perceive the severity as low but believe she has a high likelihood of developing the disease (susceptibility), which again implies a moderate degree of threat. Researchers have not established a minimum level of universal threat needed to take action, but numerous studies have found that a moderate level of threat seems necessary to increase the likelihood of action.?