Week 1-Health & Health Psychology

Psychology: Scientific study of mental and behavioural functioning.
Health: Defined by the WHO as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease.
Illness: A personal experience and feeling of unhealth.
Health Psychology Definition: The aggregate of educational, scientific, and professional contributions of psychology in promoting health, treating illness, and managing related dysfunction (Matarazzo).

Development: Emerged due to limitations in several existing medical models:
- Biomedical Model: Views illness as originating outside the body with mind and body functioning independently.
- Psychosomatic Medicine: Investigates how psychological factors can contribute to causing illness.
- Behavioural Health: Focuses on health maintenance and illness prevention through behaviour.
- Behavioural Medicine: Integrates psychology into health studies, emphasizing treatment, prevention, and intervention.

Multifactorial Causes of Illness: Illness results from a myriad of factors (biological, psychological, and social) rather than a single cause.
Biopsychosocial Model: This model provides a comprehensive understanding of health and illness, incorporating multiple influences on health outcomes.

Biological Factors: Genetics, viruses, bacteria, structural defects.
Psychological Factors:
- Cognitions: Expectations related to health.
- Emotions: Emotional responses like fear regarding treatment.
- Behaviours: Lifestyle choices e.g., smoking, diet, exercise.
Social Factors:
- Social Norms: Normative behaviours affecting health decisions (e.g., smoking norms).
- Behavioural Pressures: Peer group expectations and parental pressure.
- Social Values: Views on health and wellness, influencing behaviours.
- Demographic Aspects: Consideration of social class and ethnicity.

Key Areas:
- Biology: Genetic vulnerability, immune function, neurochemistry.
- Psychology: Personality, attitudes/beliefs, learning/memory, emotions.
- Social Context: Family background, cultural traditions, education, social/economic status, and support systems.

What causes illness? Interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Who is responsible for illness? Individuals are seen as active participants, not passive victims.
How should illness be treated? Focus on treating the whole person, not just symptoms.
Who is responsible for treatment? Individuals play an active role in their health management.
Relationship between health and illness: Viewed as a continuum; both influence one another.
Mind-Body Interaction: Reciprocal relationship affecting health.
Role of Psychology: Influences both the causes and consequences of illness.

To understand, explain, develop, and test health theories.
Evaluate the role of behaviour in illness aetiology and predict unhealthy behaviours.
Study the interaction between psychological factors and physiological responses.
Explore psychological roles in experiencing and treating illness.
Practical application of theory to promote healthy behaviours and prevent illness.