Investigating health behaviours and health beliefs in individuals with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties

ABSTRACT

Individuals with SEMH difficulties often perform negative health behaviours, yet little qualitative research aiming to understand why exists. The present study aimed to uncover reasons for poor health behaviours in individuals at an SEMH college. Eight students attending a specialist SEMH college were interviewed about their health behaviours and health beliefs. IPA was utilised to analyse the datasets. Participants seemed aware of the potential severity of ill-health following negative health behaviours, yet this only appeared to influence behaviour when they believed themselves as susceptible to the illness. Coping with adversity and social influence were key barriers in reducing unhealthy behaviours, with perceived barriers outweighing any potential health benefits. Participants expressed good mental wellbeing as key in being physically healthy, both directly and as mediated through health behaviours. Finally, participants engaging in unhealthy behaviours appeared to minimise the potential risks associated with each behaviour. Students with SEMH difficulties perform negative health behaviours for various reasons including social influence, enjoyment and coping with adversity. Addressing these factors may help to improve the health behaviours of this cohort.

KEYWORDS:

• Social emotional mental health
• special educational needs
• health behaviours
• health beliefs
• physical health
• psychological coping

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will not be shared outside of the research team, as per our ethical approval.

Additional information

Funding

This research was an unfunded project completed as part of a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology at LJMU.

Notes on contributors

Megan Bowes

Dr Megan Bowes is a Health Psychologist with her doctorate research focusing on young people’s health and care for long term conditions including benign tumours and long covid. She works in the NHS within pain management.

Mark Forshaw

Professor Mark Forshaw is a nationally and internationally recognised expert in Health Psychology through his work with the British Psychological Society and the European Federation of Psychologists associations. He was previously the course director for the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology and is now a Professor of Health Psychology at Edge Hill University.

Rachel Tarling

Dr Rachel Tarling is the co-programme director for the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology at LJMU. Her research interests include cancer prevention, managing long term conditions and health promotion.