The Social-Ecological Model
Unit 3
Area of Study 1
Chapter 2
Why use the social-ecological model?
• The social-ecological model helps to identify
opportunities to promote participation in
physical activity by recognising the multiple
factors that influence an individual’s
behaviour. Efforts to change behaviour are
more likely to be successful when the multiple
levels of influence are addressed at the same
time.
Socio-ecology : the study of how
social structure is influenced by an
organism’s environment
There are four components that influence the
social-ecological model
1. The Individual
2. Social Environment (interpersonal) Factors
3. Physical Environment
4. Organisational and Policy Change
The Individual (Intrapersonal) Factors
The individual is at the centre of the social-ecological
model. This level includes personal factors that increase
or decrease the likelihood of an individual being
physically active. Individual factors which influence
physical activity participation include…
-Attitudes
- Behavious
- Self-concept
- Behavioural skills (goal setting)
- Knowledge (advantages of being active)
Intervention strategies at the
Individual (Intrapersonal) level
Strategies which bring change at the individual level
tend to focus on changing an individual’s knowledge,
attitudes, behaviour and skills.
Intervention Strategies
- Educational programmes
- Support groups
- Organisational incentives directed at individuals
- Counselling
- Targeting individuals through mass media to help
them consider being more active
Social Environment (Interpersonal)
Factors
The social environment comprises the relationships, the
culture and the society with whom the individual interacts.
The social environment has a significant influence on physical
activity behaviour. For example, having someone such as a
peer, family member or work colleague to be physically active
with can impact on physical activity behaviour. The social
environment includes…
-Family
-Peers
-Cultural background
-What is ‘normal’ in the community
-Institutions (schools, organisations, workplaces)
-Socio-Economic Status (SES)
Learning Activity
• Outline three examples of Social Environment
(Interpersonal) factors that negatively
influence your activity levels
• Now think of a strategy that will bring about
change at the Social Environment
(Interpersonal) level for each of these
Intervention strategies at the Social
Environment (Interpersonal) level
Strategies which bring change at the social environment
level include…
-Community education
-Support groups
-Peer programs
-Workplace incentives
-Social marketing campaigns
These are all always of promoting positive community
attitudes and awareness to participation in physical activity.
Physical Environment
Physical environment includes the natural environment and the built
(or man-made) environment.
The Natural Environment
The Built Environment
Grasslands and Parklands
Ovals
Beaches
Swimming Pools
Lakes
Office Building
Rivers
Pathways and boardwalks
Physical environments can have a positive or negative influence on the
amount and type of physical activity
Ovals, swimming pools and pathways are designed to encourage PA
However an office building is not necessarily an environment wher
people would want to participate in PA
Learning Activity
• Outline three examples of Physical
Environment factors that negatively influence
your activity levels or people in your
community
• Now think of a strategy that will bring about
change at the Physical Environment level for
each of these
Intervention strategies at the Physical
Environment level
• Improved accessibility, e.g. Introducing ramps or
smooth surfaces so that people using wheelchairs
can access the area safely.
• New recreational or sporting facilities may be built
close to a school, community shopping centre or
aged care facility to ensure they are accessible to
specific target groups.
• Traffic calming to increase safety for pedestrians
may be introduced around school areas in order to
encourage more children to walk or ride bicycles to
school.
Organisational and Policy Change
• Organisational factors are characteristics of
social institutions, this includes rules (formail
& informal), regulations, guidelines and
governance of operation.
• Organisational factors often restrict the
opportunity for physical activity.
Learning Activity
Read Pg 62;
Paragraph 2
of the text
Intervention strategies at the
Organisational and Policy Change level
• Organisational Intervention Strategies
–
–
–
–
–
Creating incentives for people to be active
Making changes to staff benefits (subsidied gym memberships
Making changes to the structure of the day (extended breaks)
Promote group activities (walk-to-school/work)
Create links with health-enhancing organisations (arrange
discount memberships)
• Policy Intervention Strategies
– Paying workers more if they use a gym
– Mandated time allocation that every student must receive 100
mins PE and 100 mins Sport Ed each week (State policy)
– 40km/hr speed linit around all schools (State law)
Bringing it all back
together