PSYU2222 Lecture 1: Introduction to Health and Wellbeing

What is the WHO (1946) definition of health?

A complete state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing—not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

What are some critiques of the WHO definition of health?

• Too broad

• Lacks clarity on the role of each health factor

• Ignores cultural and socioeconomic influences

• Doesn't consider how symptoms are interpreted

How is wellbeing defined by Willroth (2023)?

The overall state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy, both physically and psychologically.

What are Hepper et al.’s (2021) 6 themes of wellbeing?

• Physical

• Mental/emotional

• Social

• Personal circumstances

• Activities and functioning

• Spiritual

What is subjective wellbeing?

One’s personal assessment of life—includes happiness, life satisfaction, and positive emotions.

What is objective wellbeing?

External measurable indicators like physical health, income, and social relationships.

What was the prehistoric view of illness?

Supernatural causes; treated by trephining to release spirits.

What is Hippocrates known for?

Humoral theory (blood, yellow bile, black bile, phlegm); stress as a physical illness cause; clinical observation.

Who was Galen?

Roman physician who advanced Hippocrates’ ideas, localized disease to specific organs, and viewed the brain as the center of the mind.

How did the Middle Ages affect health beliefs?

Return to supernatural explanations (e.g., sin, astrology); harsh treatments like exorcism.

What did Descartes propose in the Renaissance?

Mind-body dualism; the mind and body communicate via the pineal gland.

What key changes occurred in the Enlightenment?

• Psychology emerges with Wilhelm Wundt (1879)

• Rise of asylums

• Biomedical dominance begins

What is the Biomedical Model?

Views disease as a purely biological process, treating health as the absence of disease.

What are criticisms of the biomedical model?

• Overemphasis on biology

• Neglects psychological/social factors

• Limited scope of treatment

What is Psychosomatic Medicine?

Focuses on how psychological traits (e.g., personality) impact physical illness.

What is the Biopsychosocial Model (Engel, 1977)?

Integrates biological, psychological, and social influences on health and illness.

What are the three levels of analysis in the biopsychosocial model?

• Biological – genetics, age, nervous/endocrine system

• Psychological – beliefs, emotions, behaviours

• Social – culture, relationships, environment

What is the Information Age’s influence on health psychology?

• Rise in digital health tools and AI

• Destigmatisation of mental health

• Continued inequality and health disparities

What is Health Psychology?

The study of how psychological and behavioural processes affect health and illness.

What are the main goals of health psychology?

• Promote health

• Prevent illness

• Improve healthcare delivery

• Understand psychological influences

• Support chronic illness patients

What are common modern causes of death?

Chronic illnesses (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancer), often linked to behaviour/lifestyle.

What are examples of health interventions?

• Primary: Immunisation, lifestyle changes

• Secondary: Disease screening and early detection

What is Foster's main argument about workplace health and wellbeing (H&WB)?

H&WB initiatives often reflect neoliberalism and reinforce ableism rather than fostering genuine inclusivity.

How does neoliberalism shape workplace wellbeing?

• Emphasises productivity and individual responsibility

• Promotes resilience as a personal trait

• Shifts accountability from employer to employee

What is the critique of resilience discourse?

• Overly vague

• Encourages 'thinking happy' over structural reform

• Stigmatizes those who can’t cope

What does ableism mean in this context?

A workplace bias that favors “ideal” able-bodied, self-managing, high-energy workers.

What does the social model of disability advocate?

• Focus on systemic barriers, not just personal impairments

• Emphasis on inclusive design and cultural change

What is Foster's conclusion?

Workplaces must shift from individualised resilience models to structural reforms that support all employees.

What is dualism?

The philosophical view that the mind and body are separate but interact.

What is trephining?

Ancient practice of drilling holes in the skull to release spirits.

What is comorbidity?

The presence of two or more conditions simultaneously in a patient.

What is deinstitutionalisation?

The 20th-century reform that shifted care from psychiatric institutions to community-based treatment.

What are examples of primary vs. secondary prevention?

• Primary: Vaccination, diet, exercise

• Secondary: Cancer screenings, blood pressure checks

What is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)?

A manual used to diagnose mental health conditions (first published in 1952).