Health Psychology

Health Psychology

Introduction to Health Psychology

  • Objective of the Session:

    • Understand the nature and definitions of Health Psychology.

    • Learn about the foundations of Health Psychology.

    • Recognize different models of Health Psychology.

    • Define Stress.

Health Psychology Overview

  • Definition of Health Psychology:

    • Health Psychology is the study of psychological factors related to health and illness. It encompasses several key areas:

    • Disease onset.

    • Prevention.

    • Treatment and rehabilitation.

    • Integrates both clinical practice and research.

    • Core Belief: Choices, behaviors, and psychological characteristics significantly influence health outcomes.

The Emergence of Health Psychology

Historical Foundations

  • Ancient Beliefs: Spiritual disturbances were thought to cause disease.

  • Evolution of Medical Thought:

    • Early Greek Medicine introduced focus on physical rather than spiritual causes.

    • The Renaissance marked significant advancements in anatomy and microscopy, further shaping medical practice.

Modern Challenges

  • Changing Patterns of Illness:

    • Decrease in deaths from acute and communicable diseases (notably excluding AIDS).

    • Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases among elderly populations.

    • Characteristics of Chronic Diseases:

    • Generally manageable but not curable.

    • Linked to personal health behaviors and patient adherence to treatment regimens.

    • Societal and psychological impacts of living with chronic ailments.

Areas of Focus in Health Psychology

  • Key Areas:

    • Health Promotion and Maintenance

    • Prevention and Treatment of Illness

    • Etiology (causes) and Correlates of Health and Illness

    • Health Policy and Health Care Service Delivery

Contributions of Health Psychology

  • Effective Interventions:

    • Short-term behavioral interventions can help patients in:

    • Managing pain.

    • Modifying harmful health habits (e.g., smoking).

    • Coping with treatment side effects resulting from chronic illnesses.

    • Psychologists facilitate smoother adjustment processes for patients.

Understanding Stress

Definition and Concept of Stress

  • Understanding Stress:

    • The term 'stress' references a wide range of phenomena.

    • Definition of Stress: Occurs when a situation overwhelms a person’s perceived ability to cope with the demands of that situation.

Stressors

  • Definition of Stressors: These are events that challenge or exceed an individual's capacity to manage effectively.

Coping with Stress

  • Definition of Coping:

    • Refers to any action taken by individuals to manage stress or regulate emotional responses.

Coping Strategies

  • Types of Coping Strategies:

    • Problem-Focused Coping:

    • Aims to alter the situation causing stress.

    • Emotion-Focused Coping:

    • Aims to modulate the emotional response to distress.

      • Sub-Strategies Include:

      • Reappraisal: Reevaluating a situation based on new information.

      • Distancing: Attempting to detach from the emotional experience.

      • Escape-Avoidance: Engaging in wishful thinking or distraction from the stressor.

      • Seeking Social Support: Reaching out to friends for emotional support.

      • Self-Control: Regulating emotional responses and behaviors.

      • Accepting Responsibility: Acknowledging one’s role in the stressful situation.

    • Social Support Strategy:

    • Combines both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping.

    • Encourages developing social connections and seeking advice from friends and loved ones.

Mental Health

Definition of Mental Health

  • Mental Health Defined:

    • A state where individuals recognize their potential, cope with normal life stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community (WHO, 2007).

    • Further Explanation from RA No. 11036:

    • A state of well-being where individuals understand their abilities, manage life stresses, demonstrate resilience in adversity, and positively contribute to societal well-being.

Philippine Mental Health Law (RA No. 11036)

  • Purpose of the Act:

    • Establish a national mental health policy aimed at improving mental health services and rights for those in need.

Objectives of Mental Health Law

  • Key Objectives Include:

    • Strengthening leadership in mental health governance and policy formulation.

    • Developing an integrated national mental health care system to meet the needs of the Filipino populace.

    • Protecting rights and freedoms of individuals with mental health needs.

    • Enhancing information systems and research in mental health.

    • Integrating mental health services within basic health care frameworks.

    • Promoting mental health strategies in educational, workplace, and community settings.