PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH

Perception-refers to the way something is seen or

viewed by an individual or group.
When making judgements about our level of
health and well-being our perceptions are
influenced by a range of factors including:
- Our personal interpretations of the term
health
- Our beliefs about our capacity to achieve
good health
- Our environment
- Our health behaviours and lifestyle
- Our past level of health
- The attitudes about health conveyed by
family, peers and the media.
- The value we place on the importance of
striving for and maintaining a positive state
of well-being.

The factors that can influence our

perceptions of health

HOW DO PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH CHANGE WITH

AGE?

Table 1.1: Changes in the meaning of health during our life cycle
Period
Childhood

Health
generally take health for granted

(birth to 11 years)
Early adolescence
(1216 years)

health seen as important to help establish and maintain a

positive body image
health behaviours and values being formed

Late adolescence
(1724 years)

majority enjoy good health and realise benefits of healthpromoting behaviours, even if it is not a priority for them
more likely to have specific health concerns related to
nutrition, drug use, injury, relationships, sexual health and
mental health
develop intimate relationships
may engage in risk taking with a sense of impunity (it
won't happen to me attitude)

Early adulthood
(2539 years)

Middle years of
adulthood

seen as a resource; realise the value of having all

dimensions of health in balance in order to function
effectively

preventative health behaviours and screening procedures

become necessary as age increases

(4059 years)
Senior years
good health seen as a precious resource
(from 60 years)
more likely to suffer from failing health due to ageing
process