|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Health Psychology Perspectives |
|
|
|
|
Health psychology deals with individual behavior in a social context. However, within the public health sector, behavior is not restricted to behavior of at-risk persons, but also includes behaviors of peers, parents, health professionals, employers, politicians, and others. Unfortunately, while there is a large amount of empirical data available regarding individual behavior of the at-risk person or patient, there is very little data available about behaviors at other social levels.
Health psychologists try to understand behavior by describing psychosocial determinants for individual behavior. But health psychologists also try to understand and promote behavior change. One basic assumption in health psychology is that to change people's behavior—at least through health promotion interventions—it is necessary to understand the psychosocial determinants of behavior. For example, when a smoker fails to stop smoking because of a lack of motivation, another type of intervention is required than for a smoker that fails because of a lack of social support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Post |
What is the Meaning of Health Psychology
Health psychology is concerned with understanding how biology, behavior, and social context influence health and illness. Health psychologists work alongside other medical professionals in clinical settings, work on behaviour change in public health promotion, teach at universities, and conduct research. Although its early beginnings can be traced to the kindred field of clinical psychology, four different divisions within health psychology and one allied field have developed over time: clinical health psychology, occupational health psychology(an allied field),public health psychology, community health psychology, and critical health psychology.
Read More
Illnesses Related Psychological and Behavioral Factors
While health psychologists engage in a wide variety of activities, the following are just a few of the current issues in health psychology:
• Stress reduction
• Weight management
• Smoking cessation
• Improving daily nutrition
• Reducing risky sexual behaviors
• Hospice care and grief counseling for terminal patients
Read More
Have You Considered a Career in Health Psychology?
If you are still debating which career in psychology is right for you, then you might want to spend some time considering the growing field of health psychology. Health psychologists focus on how biological, social and psychological factors influence health and illness. The major goals of health psychology include promoting health, preventing illness, understanding the causes of illness and improving the health care system.
Read More
What Do Health Psychologists Do?
Health psychologists engage in many different job-related tasks. The specific type of work that a health psychologist does on a daily basis may depend on work setting or specialty area. Many health psychologists work directly in clinical settings to help individuals or groups prevent illness and promote healthy behaviors. Others conduct research on health-related issues or influence public policy on health care issues.
Read More
Health Psychology Fields
Health psychologists work in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, health care clinics, private corporations and universities. Some health psychologists work in settings that specialize in a particular area of health care such as oncology, pain management, women's health and smoking cessation programs. Other health psychologists work in government settings, often administering community health programs or influencing public policy.
Read More
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
