Concepts of Health Psychology

Description

The study of psychological and behavioral processes in health, illness, and healthcare is known as health psychology. Its focus is on comprehending the roles that cultural, behavioral, and psychological factors play in physical health and illness. Direct psychological influences on health are possible. Understanding how biology, behavior, and social context affect health and illness is at the heart of health psychology. Health psychologists do research, teach in universities, work on behavior modification in public health promotion, and collaborate with other medical professionals in clinical settings. For instance, cumulative effects of environmental stressors present over time and impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can be detrimental to health. Improving terminally ill patients' lives is another focus of health psychology. Health psychologist therapists can enhance the patient's quality of life even when there is little chance of recovery by assisting the patient in regaining at least some of their psychological health. Providing therapy treatments for the bereaved is another area of interest for health psychologists. Students and researchers will find the book's theoretical and conceptual contributions to the field of health to be very helpful, while the concepts and research problems it presents will undoubtedly prompt scientists to perform a heuristic function.