1 (2023)_PO

Lecture Overview

  • Title: What Can Pasta Sauce Teach us About Health?

  • Speaker: Dr. Brian Lovell

  • Email: brian.lovell@northumbria.ac.uk

  • Background: BSc (Hons) Psychology, P. Dip (Psychology), PhD (Chronic Stress)

Course Information

  • Lecture Slides: Available on Blackboard.

  • Exam Statistics: 489 students sat the exam, with a 10% failure rate (48 students).

  • Highest Mark: 4 students scored 98%.

Recommended Textbooks

  • Banyard, P. (2002). Applying Psychology to Health: Hodder & Stoughton.

  • Taylor, S. E. (2006). Health Psychology: McGraw Hill.

  • Ogden, J. (2012). Health Psychology: McGraw Hill.

Lecture Topics Breakdown

  1. What Can Pasta Sauce Teach Us About Health?

  2. Demons, the Diocese, and Doctors (History of Health)

  3. I Don’t Trust You, Doc! (Patient-Practitioner Relationships)

  4. Why Won’t You Take Your Pills? (Adherence to Medical Advice)

  5. Ouch! (Pain)

  6. I Can’t Cope … Wait, Maybe I Can! (Stress and Coping)

  7. More to Love! (Obesity)

  8. Flying High! (Substance Misuse)

  9. Insta-Sham (Social Media & Health)

  10. Chance Favours the Prepared Mind (Mock Exam)

The Influence of Howard Moskowitz

  • Discusses how Howard Moskowitz influenced perceptions of health through his work with pasta sauces.

Conceptualizing Health Through Pasta Sauce Analogy

  • Quote: “There is no perfect sauce, only perfect sauces.”

  • Health varies similarly to preferences in pasta sauce (traditional, garlic, spicy, etc.).

    • Good or bad health means different things to different people, highlighting variability in health perceptions.

Case Studies: Health Profiles

Maria's Case

  • Background: 28-year-old, healthy, visits GP regularly, no medications.

  • Health Concerns: Family history of breast cancer; genetic mutation identified.

  • Outcome: Chose mastectomy as a preventative measure after genetic screening.

    • Considered ‘Good Sauce’ (Healthy) as she felt relieved post-surgery.

Eric's Case

  • Background: 26-year-old insurance clerk, active lifestyle, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

  • Health Status: Despite being physically fit, he experiences fatigue.

  • Medical Resolution: Relieved with diagnosis and now manages condition with regular insulin shots; feels healthier afterward.

Perceptions of Health and Illness

  • Findings from Blaxter (1990) show health is perceived in several ways:

    1. Absence of illness symptoms

    2. Having physical reserves for illness recovery

    3. Healthy lifestyle choices

    4. Physical fitness

    5. Psychological well-being

    6. Functionality in daily life

  • These perspectives influence whether individuals consider themselves healthy or ill.

Grouping Health Perceptions

Biological Factors

  • No illness symptoms

  • Resilience against illness

Social Factors

  • Ability to function in society and maintain relationships

Psychological Factors

  • Absence of serious mental health issues

  • Positive thinking and resilience

Health Models

Biomedical View

  • Health defined as having a disease-free body.

  • Illness results from bodily dysregulation; restoration through treatment.

Psychological and Social Dimensions

  • Health also reflects emotional well-being and social network strength.

  • Social interactions and contributions to society enhance life quality.

Genetic Factors in Health Risks

  • Mutation on gene BCRA relates to increased cancer risk but not universal; variability in outcomes.

  • Psychological response impacts health screening adherence; stress influences health outcomes.

Social and Psychological Health Integration

Study Findings (Pressman et al., 2005)

  • Examined 1st-year undergraduates on their social networks and immune responses post-vaccination.

  • Connections between loneliness and immune system performance highlighted the need for social support.

Bio-Psycho-Social Model (BPSM)

  • Describes the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in affecting health.

  • Encapsulates health as more complex, influenced by numerous interacting systems.

World Health Organization (1948) Definition of Health

  • Defined health as complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely absence of disease.

  • Critique: Considered overly ambitious as complete well-being is rarely achieved.

Health as a Spectrum

  • Concept of health as a continuum rather than fixed categories (healthy vs. ill).

  • Exploration of health as influenced by various factors over time suggests no absolute classifications.