Week 2- Health, Health Psych

Introduction to Health Psychology

What is Health?

  • Health broadly consists of three domains:

    • Having: Material possessions and resources related to health.

    • Doing: Actions or behaviors that promote health.

    • Being: A state of psychological and physical well-being.

  • Health is characterized as:

    • A reserve or resource.

    • The absence of illness.

    • State of overall well-being, both psychological and physical.

  • Health is often taken for granted and is evident in our ability to perform physical acts.

Health Over Time

  • The concept of health has changed significantly throughout history:

    • Early Views: Holistic perspectives where mind and body interact harmoniously.

    • Dualistic Views: Separation of mind and body, treating them as independent systems.

    • Contemporary Views: Return to holistic perspectives, emphasizing the biopsychosocial model where biological, psychological, and social factors interplay.

Culture and Health

  • Cultural influences on health perceptions include:

    • Collectivism vs. Individualism:

      • Collectivism focuses on group health and well-being.

      • Individualism emphasizes personal responsibility for health.

    • Cultural Practices and Norms: Different cultures have varying approaches to health.

    • Healthcare Systems:

      • Traditional healthcare practices versus Western healthcare practices.

    • Caribbean Context: Explore the specific frameworks, norms, and healthcare practices prevalent in the Caribbean region.

Epidemiology Defined

  • Epidemiology is the study:

    • Focused on the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations.

    • Aims for application of this study to control health problems.

Your Perceptions of Health

  • Reflect on a healthy individual you know (friend, relative, etc.):

    • Definition: Who is this person?

    • Age: How old are they?

    • Health Criteria: What characteristics make you consider them healthy?

    • Reflect on your personal experience with health.

Illness in Recent Decades

  • Table 1.1 Comparison of Leading Physical Causes of Death (1900-2006 in England and Wales):

    • Ranks:

      • 1900: 1. Influenza and pneumonia

      • 1995: 1. Cancer

      • 2000: 1. Cancer (all)

      • 2006: 1. Cancer (all)

      • Additional causes shifted through decades, showing the evolution of health issues.

Lifespan and Health Perception

  • Variations in health perception by age group:

    • Children: Understanding of health and illness.

    • Young Men: Their views of health and priorities.

    • Young Women: Perspectives on health issues relevant to them.

    • Older Adults: How men and women perceive health and wellness as they age.

What is Health Psychology?

  • Health psychology is defined as:

    • The study of health, illness, and healthcare practices.

    • It aims to:

      • Understand, explain, and predict health-related behaviors.

      • Develop effective interventions to reduce illness incidence.