The possibilities and potential of social ecological frameworks to understand health behaviours and outcomes

The possibilities and potential of social ecological frameworks to understand health behaviours and outcomes

The health status of individuals and groups is influenced by a wide array of factors. In 2000 a landmark publication, Promoting Human Wellness’ edited by Jamner-Schneider and Stokols, provided compelling evidence of the “complex web of interrelated influences that operate dynamically to determine health and wellness” (p. 1). Thirteen years later, it is timely to revisit this work in light of subsequent changes to our world, and ebb and flow of research trends. Scholarly and societal interest in the multifaceted influences on physical and emotional well-being has stimulated growing interest in social ecological (SE) analyses of health among community and environmental health specialists and other professionals. These professional groups have found SE to be a valuable framework for understanding the multiple levels of influence on human behavior. There is increasing recognition of the value of utilising broader conceptual models for purposes of understanding and managing various intrapersonal, interpersonal, physical environmental and sociocultural influences on health outcomes and health behaviors.
This symposium will examine SE models of health and will feature a number of pioneers who have drawn upon SE principles to better understand health behavior, and to develop multi-faceted health promotion interventions ranging from macro-societal to micro-environmental level research. Speakers will discuss their reasons for utilizing a SE framework to effectively understand and influence bi-directional, multi-level processes that either support or hinder an individual’s engagement in health protective behaviours. The symposium presentations also will suggest guidelines for health promotion interventions focusing on multiple environmental levels.