Final answer:
Option b, the patient's fear of needles, is an example of how psychosocial variables affect health beliefs, demonstrating the importance of psychological factors in healthcare engagement and treatment adherence.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of how a psychosocial variable affects a patient's health beliefs is option b: 'The patient has always been terrified of needles and so never goes to the doctor.' This fear is a psychological factor that significantly affects the patient's behavior and attitude towards medical intervention, illustrating how personal experiences and attitudes, such as fear and perception, can directly impact one's approach to healthcare.
Health beliefs and behaviors can be deeply influenced by psychosocial factors, such as cultural norms, personal attitudes, or experiences. These factors are part of the broader biopsychosocial model, which highlights the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in determining health outcomes. A fear of needles can lead to avoidance of medical care, which may result in delayed diagnosis, untreated conditions, or missed vaccinations, further affecting a person's health. This is an example of the significance of addressing psychosocial variables in healthcare to ensure effective patient care and treatment adherence.
Cultural beliefs and individual perceptions can lead to varying health outcomes through mechanisms like the placebo effect or the nocebo effect. For instance, if a person believes that a treatment will be effective, they might experience positive health outcomes even if the treatment is inert. Conversely, the nocebo effect occurs when negative beliefs about a treatment lead to poorer health outcomes. Psychological belief in the efficacy or harmfulness of a treatment can thus have a real impact on health.