Health psychology is a subfield of psychology focused on how biological, psychological, and social factors influence human health, illness, and healthcare (e.g., looking for ways to help people live healthier lives).

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Health psychology is a subfield of psychology that focuses on how human health is affected by the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, utilizing an approach known as the biopsychosocial model. Professionals in this field aim to help individuals achieve better health through public policy, education, intervention, and research. Health psychologists often conduct research exploring the connections between a person's genetic makeup, psychological stress, behavioral patterns, relationships, and their overall health outcomes. They also investigate effective ways to motivate people to address behaviors that negatively impact their health.

Health Psychology

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

The brain disease model of addiction (BDMA) purports that addiction is, fundamentally, a chronic and relapsing brain disease. The main argument is that drug use alters the brain's reward system and circuitry.

Brain Disease Model of Addiction (BDMA)

References for Health Psychology go here.

Health Psychology References

NIMH. (2022). NIMH. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ 

National Insituite for Mental Illness (NIMH)

Root Node for research in the field of and/or related to Health Psychology.
-	Focuses of Research Relating to Health Psychology
-	Research Methods Used in Health Psychology


Research in Health Psychology 

Important and/or general concepts relevant to the field of Health Psychology
-	Biopsychosocial Health Model 
-	Health Behaviors


Concepts in Health Psychology

Important and/or general theories relevant to the field of Health Psychology
-	Attachment Theory
-	Family Systems Theory


Theories in Health Psychology

These are the various divisions within Health Psychology that focus on different areas, aspects, and applications of psychology to health.
-	Clinical Health Psychology
-	Community Health Psychology
-	Critical Health Psychology
-	Public Health Psychology
-	Occupational Health Psychology

Sub-Disciplines in Health Psychology

These are fields of study that are strongly related to the concepts and theories within health psychology.
-	Geropsychology
-	Nutrition Psychology
-	Occupational Health Psychology
-	Sport(s) Psychology


Related Disciplines to Health Psychology

- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Physiological Approaches
- Combination Approaches
- Telepsychiatry
 - Virtual Reality (VR) Intervention
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) 
- Neurosurgery
- Psychological Intervention
- Mind-Body Intervention
Nutraceuticals
- Psychobiotics
- Trauma-Informed Mindfulness 
- Integrative Psychotherapy 

Treatment Methods Used in Health Psychology

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The Biopsychosocial Model is an approach used by health psychologists to assess the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that determine ones health.

Biopsychosocial Model

Stress is a process through which an individual perceives and responds to events, known as stressors, that they appraise as overwhelming or threatening to their well-being. This cognitive appraisal of the event and one's ability to cope with it is a key determinant of the resulting physiological or psychological strain. While often viewed negatively, stress can also be an adaptive response to challenging situations.

Stress

The biopsychosocial model is an approach used in health psychology which proposes that human health and illness are determined by the complex interaction of biological elements (such as genetic makeup), psychological elements (such as stress and behavior patterns), and sociocultural elements (such as relationships). This framework is often visualized as three overlapping circles representing the interconnected nature of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Biopsychosocial Model in Health Psychology

A primary objective of health psychology is to understand and improve health outcomes through various activities. These include studying the link between stress and illness, investigating the reasons behind lifestyle choices like smoking or poor diet, and designing effective interventions to promote healthier behaviors. A fundamental task is also to identify which demographic or behavioral groups are at a higher risk for negative health outcomes, allowing for targeted prevention and support.

Goals of Health Psychology

Research within health psychology examines the links between various factors and health outcomes. Common topics include the effects of genetic predispositions, behavioral patterns, social relationships, and psychological stress on well-being. A significant focus is also placed on discovering effective methods to motivate people to adopt healthier behaviors.

Research Topics in Health Psychology

A city's public health department wants to launch a campaign to reduce smoking rates. One proposed campaign focuses solely on distributing pamphlets that list the severe long-term health consequences of smoking, such as lung cancer and heart disease. Based on the core principles of how psychological factors and behavior influence health, analyze the potential limitations of this single-focus approach.

Analyzing a Public Health Initiative

Health psychology developed into a distinct discipline during the 1970s. This emergence was driven by a growing scientific and public awareness of the significant role that behavioral patterns and lifestyle factors play in the onset and progression of various illnesses and diseases.

Emergence of Health Psychology

The primary goal of health psychologists is to help individuals improve their well-being. They achieve this through a variety of methods, including influencing public policy, conducting educational programs, designing clinical interventions, and carrying out scientific research.

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