psc 126 pt2

Health Psychology

The scientific study of psychological influences on physical health

Mortality Trends (1900s)

Dominated by acute infectious diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia

Mortality Trends (2000s)

Dominated by chronic non-communicable diseases like heart disease and cancer

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

Non-transferable diseases such as cancer and diabetes

Communicable diseases (CDs)

Transferable diseases such as STDs

Experiment

Research method involving manipulation of a variable

Correlational Research

Study measuring relationships between variables without manipulation

Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT)

Experiment with control and experimental groups considered gold standard

Prospective Research Design

Study that looks forward in time

Retrospective Research Design

Study that looks backward in time

Morbidity

Number of existing cases of a disease

Mortality

Number of deaths due to a disease

Prevalence

Proportion of a population with a condition

Incidence

Number of new cases in a given time period

Epidemiology

Study of disease distribution in populations

Etiology

Study of causes and origins of illness

Misinformation (APA)

False or misleading information regardless of intent

Knowledge Neglect

Failure to recall knowledge that contradicts misinformation

Confirmation Bias

Preference for information that supports existing beliefs

Social Influence (misinformation)

Trusting in-group information more than out-group

Emotional Spread of Misinformation

False news spreads faster due to emotional reactions

Conspiratorial Thinking

Belief in hidden plots by institutions

Repetition Effect

Repeated information is more likely to be believed

Debunking

Correcting misinformation after exposure

Prebunking

Preventing misinformation by building resistance beforehand

Nudging

Changing behavior by modifying decision environments

Health Behaviors

Actions that affect health

Health Habits

Routine behaviors related to health

Primary Prevention

Preventing disease before it occurs

Secondary Prevention

Reducing impact of an existing disease

Tertiary Prevention

Managing long-term illness impact

Educational Appeals

Providing knowledge to change behavior

Fear Appeals

Using fear to motivate behavior change

Health Belief Model

Model predicting behavior based on beliefs about health

Self-Determination Theory

Theory emphasizing motivation and autonomy

Autonomous Motivation

Acting with free will

Perceived Competence

Belief in one’s ability to succeed

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Method to change behavior and thoughts

Self-Monitoring

Tracking behavior before changing it

Self-Reinforcement

Rewarding or punishing oneself to shape behavior

Positive Self-Reward

Adding a reward to reinforce behavior

Negative Self-Reward

Removing something unpleasant as reward

Positive Self-Punishment

Adding punishment to reduce behavior

Negative Self-Punishment

Removing reward to reduce behavior

Motivational Interviewing

Non-judgmental method to encourage behavior change

Relapse Prevention

Strategies to maintain behavior change

Abstinence Violation Effect

Loss of control after breaking rules

Transtheoretical Model

Stages of behavior change (precontemplation → maintenance)

Social Engineering

Policy/environmental changes to influence behavior

Exercise Benefits

Improves physical and mental health

Minimum Exercise Guidelines

30 min moderate 5x/week or 20 min vigorous 3x/week

Wearable Trackers

Devices that monitor activity and motivate behavior

Skin Cancer Risk Factor

Excessive UV exposure

Sun Safety

Sunscreen use and avoiding tanning beds

Stress and Diet

Stress alters appetite (increase or decrease)

Sleep Theories

Energy conservation

Sleep Deprivation Effects

Increased BMI and health risks

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Problematic alcohol use affecting health and functioning

Substance Dependence

Physical and psychological reliance on substances

Problem Drinking

Alcohol use causing social or health problems

Alcoholism

Addiction to alcohol

Alcohol and Stress

Alcohol temporarily reduces but ultimately increases stress

Detoxification

Medical process of removing alcohol from body

Relapse (AUD)

40–70% relapse within first year

Smoking Diseases

Cancer

Pro-Smoking Media

Normalizes and promotes smoking

Synergistic Effect (Smoking)

Combined risks greater than individual risks

Smoking Interventions

CBT

Obesity Definition

BMI over 30

Obesity Prevalence

~60% overweight

Weight Stigma

Negative attitudes toward overweight individuals

Obesogenic Environment

Environment promoting overeating and inactivity

Yo-Yo Dieting

Repeated weight loss and regain

Set Point Theory

Body maintains a stable weight range

Leptin

Hormone signaling fullness

Ghrelin

Hormone signaling hunger

Anorexia

Severe restriction leading to low body weight

Bulimia

Binge eating followed by purging

Stress

Psychological and physical response to challenges

Stressor

Trigger causing stress

Primary Appraisal

Evaluating threat level

Secondary Appraisal

Evaluating coping resources

Fight-or-Flight Response

Activation of sympathetic nervous system

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Three-stage stress response model

Tend-and-Befriend Theory

Stress response involving social support

HPA Axis

System regulating stress hormones

Cortisol Rhythm

High in morning

Cushing’s Syndrome

Excess cortisol

Addison’s Disease

Low cortisol