Numerous factors influence the health and illnesses. Many factors influence health and. Although hereditary and contagious diseases are not uncommon, often our attitudes, thoughts and behavior influence our overall health. Health psychology is an discipline that examines the ways that biology, psychology behaviour, and other social factors impact the health and illness.
In terms of health psychology, they are interested in studying the ways in which our emotions, thoughts and behavior impact our physical health and in turn, affect our physical health. For everything from managing stress to healthy practices, this field can help to make connections between physical and mental well-being.
Below, you can learn details about the ways in which the discipline of health psychology has developed in the past and has influenced our understanding of the connection between mind and body.
Other terms, for instance medical psychology or behavioral medicine are often used interchangeably with health psychology.
An Overview of Health Psychology
The field of health psychology encompasses a branch of psychology that is focused on promoting health and the treatment and prevention of disease as well as illness.1 They also concentrate on understanding how people respond to, deal with the effects of illness, and recover from. Health psychologists are employed to improve the health system and the way that government approaches the health care policy.
Division 38 within the American Psychological Association is devoted to health psychology. According to the division’s goal is to improve understanding of the relationship between health and illness and the psychological aspects that influence health, as well as helping to improve healthcare system as well as health policy.2
The discipline of health psychology was born in the 1970s, to deal with the ever-changing health care field. Nowadays, the average lifespan within the U.S. is around 80 years old, and the main causes of death are chronic diseases that are frequently associated with lifestyle.3
Health psychology can help tackle these health issues.
Health psychologists are hoping to assist people in living longer and healthier lives by looking at the patterns of behavior that are linked to mortality and disease.
How Is Health Psychology Unique?
Since health psychology is focused on how the way we behave affects health, it’s well placed to assist people in changing the habits that affect overall health and wellbeing. An example of this at work include researchers who carry out applied research to avoid unhealthy behaviors like smoking or find innovative methods to promote healthy behaviors like exercise.
For instance, even though many people are aware that high-sugar diets is harmful to their health, a lot of people persist in engaging in these practices despite the possibility of immediate and long-term effects.
Health psychologists examine the psychological aspects that influence these choices for health and also explore ways to encourage people to make healthier choices.4
Importance of Health Psychology
Based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) The CDC states that many of the leading causes of death can be traced to lifestyles that can be changed, such as smoking, poor nutrition physical inactivity, excessive drinking. The top causes of death are heart disease accident, stroke chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
The CDC also states that deaths caused due to the most prevalent cause of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death, have seen an increase in recent years.5
The deaths from cancer were the second most fatal, then unintentional injuries COVID-19, strokes and chronic lower respiratory illnesses mostly chronic obstructive lung disorders (COPD) like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
How the Health Belief Model Influences Your Behaviors
Current Issues in Health Psychology
As our knowledge of the mind-body connection is growing, the field of health psychology continues to develop to address issues of health in our society today. Health psychologists work with people or groups as well as communities to reduce risk factors and improve overall health and prevent the risk of illness. Health psychologists conduct studies and offer services in the following areas
Health psychologists also solve complex problems such as the effects of disparities in health, psychological health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to the important role behavioral change has in public health.
Changes in demographics, technological advancements as well as a better knowledge of social factors that affect health can also influence our knowledge of mental and physical health.
The Biosocial Model in Health Psychology
The most popular method used in the field of health psychology is referred to by the term biosocial model. Based on this theory the concept of health and illness are the result of the combination of psychological, biological and social factors.6
- Genetic factors are a part of the personality traits as well as genetic disorders.
- Psychological influences include the personality, lifestyle as well as stress levels.
- Social influences include things such like social networks, familial relations and the cultural values.
This model focuses on the intricate interplay of psychological, biological and social aspects in the pursuit of health and well-being. In contrast to the conventional biomedical model that focuses on the physical causes of illness The biosocial model recognizes that the mental health, behavior as well as the social environment influence the general health and well-being of an individual.
For instance, someone who suffers from chronic pain may not be only affected by physical injuries. They could also be facing additional challenges like anxiety and mental health issues and absence of social support which could affect their health and overall well-being. A health psychologist will employ the biosocial model in order to evaluate the interconnectedness of these factors that affect the course of the illness, its onset and treatment.
Understanding how these elements interact helps psychologists adopt a more holistic approach when designing effective, individual interventions.
Health Psychology in Practice
The field of health psychology has a expanding area. As more and more people try to take control of their health, a growing number of people are seeking information about health and sources. Health psychologists are primarily focused on providing information to people regarding their health and wellbeing which is why they are equipped to meet this growing demand.
A large number of health psychologists are involved in the field of preventive care with a focus on helping patients stop health issues prior to they become serious.
This could be helping people keep the weight they need to be healthy, avoid unsafe or dangerous behavior, and keep an optimistic outlook to fight depression, stress and anxiety.
People who are interested in a career in the field of health psychology could choose to pursue one specific area of the field. The four main areas of health psychology are:
Another way health psychologists can aid is through training and education for others in the field of health. By incorporating information from the field of health psychology, doctors and nurses, nutritionists and other health professionals can more effectively incorporate psychological methods to the way they treat patients.
Branches of Health Psychology
- Health psychology, also known as clinical or health-related: The psychology field involves working with people, assisting them to adopt lifestyle changes to improve their overall health.
- The community health psychologist: Health psychology professionals are also able to work with whole communities, including researching diseases that are prevalent in particular communities, and the reasons behind them.
- Psychological health of the workplace: This area of psychology that focuses on how the job of a person may impact their health, as well as finding ways to increase employee health within workplaces.
- Psychological health for the public: A different possibility for health psychologists is to hold the position where one studies and/or can influence programs and policies to improve healthy living for general public in general.
Takeaways
If you’re trying to make positive lifestyle changes or are dealing with the beginning of a disease or confronting a different kind of health issue visiting a psychologist for help can help get you started with a positive start. Through consulting to one of these experts to gain access to resources and support that will help you deal with the illness and meet your health goals.