The Development Of Health Psychology

First Published in 1991. With any new area of research, particularly one in which development has been so rapid and influential, it is important to take stock of progress and identify critical issues. Health Psychology shows great potential both as a research area and a profession, and the careful planning of good quality research and of appropriately structured training programs if imperative if this potential is to be realised. this book explores the way in which this discipline has developed internationally and the nature of different types of training programs which have emerged. This book is intended for health psychologists who are interested in the latest developments in their field around the world and will be particularly valuable to those responsible for training programs.

First Published in 1991. With any new area of research, particularly one in which development has been so rapid and influential, it is important to take stock of progress and identify critical issues. Health Psychology shows great potential both as a research area and a profession, and the careful planning of good quality research and of appropriately structured training programs if imperative if this potential is to be realised. this book explores the way in which this discipline has developed internationally and the nature of different types of training programs which have emerged. This book is intended for health psychologists who are interested in the latest developments in their field around the world and will be particularly valuable to those responsible for training programs.

Although it has been assumed since early recorded history that psycho logical factors influence health and illness, it has only been within the past few years that a group of investigators and clinicians with a shared interest in the application of psychological principles and techniques to health and illness has existed. Over this same period of time, a number of multi-author books on the topic of health psychology and an associ ated field, behavioral medicine, have been published. Although these books are major resources for the investigator and the clinician in the field, it is often difficult for students, both undergraduate and graduate, to learn the basics of health psychology from such books. Thus, Health Psychology: A Psychobiological Perspective was written to provide such basics. The need for such a textbook in health psychology became appar ent to the first author when he was searching for reading material for an undergraduate course in health psychology at McGill University. This book grew out of the course in health psychology, and its structure represents the course content. The purpose of the book is to present the theoretical, empirical, and clinical aspects of the rapidly developing field of health psychology. Data from a number of subdisciplines within psychology and the behav ioral and health-related sciences are integrated throughout each chapter in an effort to provide a balanced perspective. Health Psychology explores the development of the field and its research methodologies, theoretical models, and intervention possibilities.

Foundations of Health Psychology brings together top experts to provide a much-needed conceptual base for this rapidly expanding field. Rather than take a medical model approach, the volume examines health psychology from a theoretical, conceptual, and psychological perspective. After presenting an overview of the field's history and methods, the contributors address major concepts of the biopsychosocial approach to health and then discuss applications to health promotion and effective treatment and prevention.

In 1976, a small group of psychologists urged that more research be done on aspects of health and health care outside the domain of mental health. Today, health psychology is one of the fastest growing divisions of the American Psychological Association; journals and textbooks in increasing numbers are another signal of rapid growth in this field.

The development of health psychology has been rapid and influential. The purpose of this special issue is to assess progress and to identify critical issues. Certain key themes are discussed such as the nature of the development of the discipline and the professional perspective, and a comparison of the development and application of health psychology in different countries. The issue contains contributions from an impressive collection of authors from many countries and professional contexts.

This book provides an introduction to psychology for allied health students and it encourages an understanding of the complex and interactive nature of the factors which influence an individual’s health behaviours and health outcomes. Through the use of real life examples, contemporary research and case studies students will be able to apply the material in the text to the health behaviours of the people they care for, their colleagues and themselves. Unlike many health psychology textbooks this new book examines individual personality and psychological theory within the social context of people’s lives. This approach is taken because of the increasing awareness that a person’s behaviour is not only influenced by internal biological and psychological factors, but also by external factors within the person’s social and physical environment. The first half of the book outlines psychological and other relevant theory whilst in the second half those theories are applied to health issues and healthcare practice. Chapters 1—5 presents psychological, lifespan and social theory; chapter 6 addresses the role and contribution of research to healthcare practice; and chapters 7—13 covers the psychological aspects of specific health encounters, issues and interventions. developmental psychology – theories of development and how do we study development along with problems of researching early lifespan development are also discussed. Behavioural interventions with children, adolescents and their families are highlighted models and theories which provide an understanding of and suggest strategies to change health behaviours are presented, as are explanations for human responses to stress, pain and loss critical thinking questions, case studies and examples of research are included throughout the text to encourage students to reflect on the application of theory to practice, and activities are provided for lecturers to use in the classroom learning objectives, critical reflection boxes, diagrams and figures to enhance learning, cases studies from different health professions, chapter summaries, glossaries, recommended reading lists, internet based resources, challenge questions and exercises Evolve website – the activities, case studies, testbanks and powerpoint presentations will complete the package and further demonstrate the integration of psychological principles within the health context

Exploring Health Psychology provides comprehensive yet student-friendly coverage of both traditional topics in the field and important contemporary issues relating to reproductive, sexual, and psychological health. Using an informal, sometimes humorous narrative, the authors engage students of all interest levels, abilities, and learning styles by emphasizing the application of health and wellbeing psychology in their daily lives. Balancing depth and accessibly, each chapter describes the body systems relevant to a particular topic, incorporates up-to-date information and research, and contains relatable examples, real-world applications, compelling discussion and review questions, personal stories and vignettes, a running glossary, and more. Broad in scope, Exploring Health Psychology examines the interactions between biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors in psychological disorders and discusses their psychological and medical treatment. Critical psychological health issues such as anxiety and depression, the health of sexual and gender minorities, and the psychological dangers and pitfalls of the digital age are addressed to meet the needs of today’s students. An array of active learning features based on the SQ4R pedagogy—Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Reflect, and Review—enables students to take an active role in the learning process, develop effective study habits, strengthen critical and scientific thinking, and comprehend, retain, and apply the material.