What does the Health Belief Model suggest influences health behaviors?

The Health Belief Model suggests that an individual's health behaviors are primarily influenced by their motivation and knowledge about health. This model posits that people are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors if they believe they are susceptible to a health problem, believe the health issue could have serious consequences, believe taking a specific action would reduce their susceptibility or severity of the health issue, and believe the benefits of taking the action outweigh the barriers.

Motivation is crucial as it drives individuals to change their behavior, while knowledge provides them with the information necessary to understand health risks and the effectiveness of health-promoting behaviors. For example, if individuals understand how certain lifestyle changes can prevent disease (e.g., exercise to prevent heart disease), they are more likely to implement those changes.

In contrast, family history of illness, previous exposure to mental health services, and socio-economic status can influence health behaviors but are not the primary focuses of the Health Belief Model. These factors may serve as contextual or background elements, but the essence of the model centers around an individual's perceived risks and benefits related to their health, driven by their motivation and knowledge. Thus, option B aligns with the core principles of the Health Belief Model.