PSYU2222 week 1 notes

Definition of Health

WHO Definition: Health as a complete state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing—not merely the absence of disease (1946).

Working Definition of Health

    •    The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as:

    ◦    A complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

    ◦    The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental right for every human being.

  Critique of Health Definition

Strengths and Critiques:

    ◦    Strengths: Broad inclusivity covers various aspects of health.

    ◦    Critique: No universal standard due to cultural differences in interpreting mental health.

Evolving Definitions

Alternative Definition: Health as the condition of mind, body, and spirit—freedom from illness, pain, and distress (APA, 2007).

  ◦    Argument related to history, peace, and security affecting health.

    •    Importance of recognizing critiques without dismissing definitions:

    ◦    Broadness of definition may exclude specific factors crucial to health understanding.

    ◦    Psychological factors' role not explicitly defined; challenging to encapsulate them all.

   •    American Psychological Association (APA) defines health as the condition of one's mind, body, and spirit—includes freedom from illness, injury, pain, and distress.

Understanding Wellbeing

Definition: Overall state of comfort, health, and happiness, encompassing physical health, mental states, and social relationships.

Six Themes of Wellbeing (Linton et al., 2016)

    1    Physical: Quality of bodily functioning.

    2    Mental/Emotional: Psychological, cognitive, emotional quality.

    3    Social: Quality of connections and support.

    4    Personal circumstances: Conditions faced by individuals.

    5    Activities and functioning: Daily life behaviours.

    6    Spiritual: Meaning and connection beyond oneself.

Subjective vs. Objective Wellbeing

  Subjective Wellbeing: Personal life assessments, happiness, satisfaction.

  Objective Wellbeing: Measurable health indicators including income and social relationships.

Historical Perspectives on Health in Psychology

Changing Attitudes: Perceptions of health and illness have evolved; interplay of physical condition and psychological aspects

Holistic Views of Hippocrates

Emphasized treating the whole person, considering diet, lifestyle, and psychological stress in health issues.

Islamic Golden Age Contribution

8th-14th Centuries: Growth in science and medical knowledge; first mental hospital in Baghdad (792 AD).

Illness in the Middle Ages

5th-14th Centuries: Little progress leading to supernatural beliefs and harsh treatments (exorcisms, bloodletting).

Renaissance Shift in Thinking

15th-16th Centuries: Ideas around dualism and the separation of mind and body (Rene Descartes).

Treatment in the Renaissance

Asylums: European establishments for 'troublesome' individuals; often violent treatments.

Enlightenment & Scientific Revolution

17th-19th Centuries: Burst of knowledge in medicine and psychology, recognition of psychological health.

Page 34: The Biomedical Model

Health equated with absence of disease; focuses solely on biological processes.

    •    Traditional view equates health with the absence of disease; effective in addressing acute conditions but oversimplifies mental health.

    •    Limitations: Overemphasis on biological processes neglects the psychosocial factors involved in health.

    •  Strengths: Clear diagnosis and effective for acute conditions;

Psychosomatic Medicine Ballooning

Concept: Links personality patterns with specific illnesses; highlighted connections between mind and body.

Limitations: Over-focus on personality, questionable methodology, complications in diagnosis.

Evolved from psychoanalytic ideas; studies how psychological factors manifest physically.

Links psychological states to physical conditions (e.g., stress contributing to ulcers).

Humanitarian Reform Era

1950s-1970s: Shift in mental health services, deinstitutionalization, introduction of the biopsychosocial model.

The Biopsychosocial Model

Engel's Proposal (1977): Encompasses biological, psychological, and social influences—emphasizes multifactorial nature of health.

Biological level:  Genetic, physiological, and physical determinants of health (nervous and endocrine systems).

Psychological level:  Personal thoughts, beliefs, and emotions reflecting behaviors and mental health aspects.

Social aspects: External social, environmental, and cultural factors impacting behaviour and health.

    •    Strength: Holistic view of health, considering positive conditions.

    •    Limitation: Complexity in addressing all factors may delay treatment.

Current Health Challenges

    •    Shift towards chronic diseases as leading causes of death; implications for health behavior, prevention, and treatment.

    •    Contemporary public health concerns highlight mental health statistics.

    •    Socioeconomic disparities and systemic inequalities impact health access and outcomes.

Technological Impacts on Health

1970s-present: The rise of technology affecting health care—advancements in treatments and destigmatization of mental illness.

Emergence of Health Psychology

 1978 USA: Formation of the Division 38—study of psychological aspects linked to health and illness.

Overview of Health Psychology's Role

Focus: Understanding biological, psychological, and social influences on health and improving healthcare practices.

Goals:  Promote wellness, prevent illness, and improve healthcare delivery.

Change in Health Dynamics

Historical Context: Shift from infectious diseases to chronic diseases as leading health concerns, highlighting the impact of lifestyle.

Leading Causes of Death in Australia (2021)

    1    Coronary heart disease

    2    Dementia including Alzheimer disease

    3    Cerebrovascular disease

Contributors to Increased Life Expectancy

Factors: Enhanced public health practices, nutrition, medical advances, and decreased infant mortality being significant drivers.

Scrutiny of Cultural Relevance in Therapies

Issues: Cultural-bound practices questioned for effectiveness across different demographics, particularly marginalized groups.

Mental Illness and Its Effects

Impact of mental illness across Australian populations, the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for care.

Emerging Issues in Health Psychology

Role of self-diagnosis through technology and its potential pitfalls (e.g., "Doctor Google").

Social media's impact on mental health; critical discussions on discourse's importance in educational settings.

 Importance of interpersonal skills in health care delivery for adherence to treatment plans and overall effectiveness.

The Future of Health Psychology

 Growth Areas: Health psychology gaining traction in various sectors, aiding health policy formation and practices.

Increased integration into various health care settings, highlighting the importance of psychological factors in health outcomes.

Focus on holistic models that promote understanding and treatment while addressing social determinants of health.