After Reviewing Module 5 Lecture Materials And Resources

After Reviewingmodule 5 Lecture Materials Resources Discuss The Fo

After reviewing Module 5: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss how family, friends, and community influence individual health and lifestyle. Identify at least three positive and three negative effects of these influences.

Paper For Above instruction

The influence of family, friends, and community plays a significant role in shaping an individual's health behaviors and lifestyle choices. These social determinants of health can serve as powerful motivators for positive health practices but may also contribute to adverse health outcomes depending on the nature of influence. Understanding these dynamics is essential for healthcare providers and public health practitioners aiming to promote holistic well-being across populations.

Positive influences of family, friends, and community include emotional support, health education, and reinforcement of healthy behaviors. Family members often serve as primary sources of emotional support, which nurtures mental well-being and encourages resilience in the face of health challenges (Berkman et al., 2000). For example, supportive families can encourage regular exercise, balanced diets, and routine health checkups. Similarly, friends can motivate individuals to maintain healthy habits through companionship and shared activities. Community programs, schools, and religious institutions also provide environments that promote health awareness and foster social connectedness, which are linked to lower rates of mental health issues and chronic diseases (Kawachi & Berkman, 2000). These positive influences contribute to improved health literacy and empowerment, enabling individuals to make informed health decisions.

Negative influences of family, friends, and community include peer pressure, unhealthy behavioral modeling, and social norms that may promote risky behaviors. For instance, peer pressure can lead adolescents into substance abuse or unprotected sexual activity, increasing the risk for health complications such as addiction or sexually transmitted infections (Perkins et al., 2014). Families experiencing dysfunction, neglect, or financial hardship may inadvertently contribute to negative health behaviors, including poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, or neglect of preventive health measures (Bodden & Dekovic, 2016). Additionally, communities with limited access to health resources or exposure to violence and crime can foster environments where unhealthy behaviors thrive and mental health issues are prevalent. These negative influences can perpetuate health disparities and hinder efforts to achieve health equity.

The impact of these social influences underscores the importance of targeted interventions that leverage positive influences and mitigate negative ones. For example, family-based health promotion programs can enhance communication about healthy lifestyles, and community initiatives can improve access to healthcare and social services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Healthcare professionals need to consider these social factors when designing personalized care plans and community health strategies. Moreover, fostering resilient families and supportive communities can serve as a buffer against environmental and social stressors, ultimately contributing to better individual and population health outcomes.

In conclusion, family, friends, and community are pivotal in shaping health behaviors, with both beneficial and detrimental effects. Recognizing and addressing these influences through effective public health strategies and family-centered care can enhance health promotion efforts and reduce health disparities. A comprehensive approach that strengthens positive social support and decreases harmful pressures is essential for improving individual health and fostering healthier communities.

References

• Berkman, L. F., Glass, T., Brissette, I., & Seeman, T. E. (2000). From social integration to health: Durkheim in the new Millennium. Social Science & Medicine, 51(6), 843-857. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(00)00065-4
• Bodden, D. H. M., & Dekovic, M. (2016). Multiproblem families referred to youth mental health: What's in a name? Family Process, 55(1), 31-47. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12144
• Kawachi, I., & Berkman, L. (2000). Social cohesion, social capital, and health. In L. Berkman & I. Kawachi (Eds.), Social Epidemiology (pp. 174-190). Oxford University Press.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Essentials for parenting toddlers and preschoolers. https://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/index.html
• Perkins, R., Craig, T., Simmons, B., & Tylee, A. (2014). Peer pressure and adolescent health risk behaviors: An integrative review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(4), 419-429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.04.012
• Smith, M., & Segal, J. (2020). Grandparents raising grandchildren. HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grandparents-raising-grandchildren.htm