In the Health Belief Model, what refers to the belief that one is at risk of being adversely affected if they don't change?

The belief that one is at risk of being adversely affected if they don't change is referred to as susceptibility in the Health Belief Model. This concept emphasizes an individual’s perception of how likely they are to experience a negative health outcome as a result of their behaviors or circumstances. When individuals recognize their vulnerability to a potential health threat, they are often more motivated to adopt preventive actions or modify behaviors to avoid that risk.

By understanding susceptibility, health communicators can tailor their messages to highlight the perceived risks associated with certain behaviors or lifestyle choices, thus facilitating behavior change. Other choices relate to different aspects of the model: advantages pertain to the perceived positives of making a change, severity refers to the perceived seriousness of the health threat, and benefits deal with the perceived rewards of taking action. Collectively, these components help shape an individual’s health decisions and perceived motivation to change behaviors.