Reading: The healthy life

what does health psychology rely on

Biopsychosocial Model of Health → biology, psychology, and social factors are just as important in the development of disease as biological causes

psychosomatic medicine

focuses on how biological, psychological and social factors contribute to the body and health overtime

psychoneuroimmunology

A field of study examining the relationship among psychology, brain function, and immune function.

how can stress make you more succesptible to illness

raising bp, altering stress hormone, and suppressing immune function

General Adaptation Syndrome

3 phase model of stress → mobilization of physiological resources, coping phase, exhaustion phase

2 categories of coping

problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping

2 categories of coping: problem focused coping

actively addressing the event that is causing stress to solve the issue

eg stressed about exam? study more!

2 categories of coping: emotion focused coping

regulates the emotions that come with stress

eg stressed about exam? watch fav movie to feel better!

Self-efficacy

belief that you have what it takes to deal with a situation

how are control and self efficacy related in health

feeling in control → reduce stress and improve health

higher self-efficacy → reduce stress and negative health behaviors, associated with better health

how does control influence health

belief that u have control over a situation leads to better health outcomes and improved stress coping

social integration

size of your social network/number of social roles

how is social integration tied to health

Maintaining many social roles can improve your health via encouragement from those around you. also provides social support

type a vs type b behaviour in relation to heart health

hostility and competitiveness associated with type a personality increases risk of heart diseases. type a also lack supportive social networks

biofeedback

physiological signals are transformed into graphs or numbers. Individuals can then use this information to try to change bodily functioning (e.g., lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension).

what does a clinical health psychologists do

evaluate physical, personal, and environmental factors contributing to illness → create all-encompassing treatment strategy

what possible roles can a health psychologist take on other than clinical work

research at university, health departments, hospitals and private orgs

how does behavioral medicine tie with health psychology

behavioral medicine careers focus on the applications of health psychology research (occupational therapy, rehab, preventative medicine)