Taking a Look at Health Psychology

Society has progressed both socially and technologically as has medicine. This includes our understanding of health and healing as evidenced by Dossey’s three eras of medicine. Era 1, beginning in the 1800’s, reflected the prevailing view that health and illness are totally physical in nature and therapies included surgical procedures and drugs. Era 2, starting in the 1950’s, related to the mind and body. Practitioners began to realize that emotions and feelings can impact health. Era 3, still developing today, began in the 1990’s and builds on the previous eras by adding the spirit and proposes that consciousness is not confined to one’s

This worldview first states that human beings are holistic, and parts are viewed only in the context of the whole (Fawcett, 1993). I agree with this view as I believe that the various human dimensions are interrelated. It is impossible to separate out the physical from the psychological or spiritual, as they are interdependent. A change in one aspect acts as a causative agent in the others. This aspect of this worldviews frames my practice when I acknowledge that my patient is much more than a set of vital signs and a physical assessment. In each interaction, I strive to ascertain my patient’s psychological and spiritual deficits and attend to these needs in a hierarchical manner so that the patient can return to a state of complete health- physically, psychologically, and spiritually.

Health psychology is a diverse career field; psychologists can be employed anywhere from hospitals to research to influencing health care. “Health psychologists… conduct clinical interviews and behavioral assessments. They may also participate in interventions with individuals or groups — for example, programs to help people reduce stress, quit smoking and avoid sedentary behaviors…They may study the causes of health problems and how to prevent them, or explore why certain groups don’t seek care when they need it. They may also help patients understand and come to terms with a diagnosis, or follow a treatment regimen in order to increase the probability of their full recovery (American Psychology Association). Health psychologists have a broad spectrum of people to treat as they treat people with mental disorders and create treatment plans for people; health psychologists need to understand all parts of psychology to provide effective care for their patients because health psychologists research, test people, and help their patients gain skills so they can better take care of themselves.

A bio-psychosocial describes an approach systematically considers biological, psychological, and social factors and their complex interactions in understanding health, illness, and health care delivery. Biological factors include defective biological processes compounds that lead to biological dysfunction and illness. Psychological factors are about the individual’s emotions, behavior, and mental processes. Social factors include social status and relations. These factors are all considered in an attempt to understand the underlying factors of such disease.

Two of the three models of health and healing discussed by Dossey (1999) were Era II Body/Mind Model of the 1950s and Era III Body/Mind/Spirit Model of the 1990s. According to Dossey (1999), post World War II the Medical Doctors noticed that there was proof that the functioning of the human body can be affected by other factors such as stress and emotions which, can lead to diseases such as ulcers and high blood pressure. This model brought to light the realization that treating the human body is complex because when the physical body is not well the mentation of the patient is affected resulting in exacerbation of other

This essay will be exploring the psychosocial influences on a 68 year old lady called Susan Smith’s perception to her health, along with her response to illness. To do this we must look at a definition of both psychology and sociology and discuss any possible effects these have had on Susan’s perception of health issues. Also this essay will be looking at any influences such as education, in relation to a female of Susan’s age and background, and discuss whether these issues have affected Susan’s health and her responses to illness.

In this task I will discuss the application/part of behaviorist perspectives in health and social care.

Income and education are closely linked with health status. The __________ the poverty rate and the __________ the education level, the better the health.

(P2) – This approach can be applied in health practice such as a health clinic. For example, if a service user is unsure of how to use a form of contraception, they can seek assistance in a health clinic. A nurse can demonstrate how to use different contraception, so that the service user is able to imitate and learn.

In order to understand health, different models or frameworks for thinking have been developed which have been useful. The Biomedical model which evolved since the 19th century from Galen’s (Greek physician 200AD) concept of pathogen, focused on removing the disease/disability and not on prevention or general well-being [9]. The Biopsychosocial model however, doesn’t merely focus on the physical state of

This report will be investigating the various sociological perspectives on health as well as the models and definitions of health and ill health. These topics will assist in the understanding of how different people and different cultures react to ill health.

The biopsychosocial model of health is a multidimensional approach to health (Lecture 1, 2014). It focuses not only on the biology or physiology of a person, but also includes the psychology of a person and the manner in which society and culture influence health as well (Gurung, 2014). It was developed in the 21st century as an important theoretical framework to approaching health and medicine (Richtig, Trapp, Kapfhamer, Jenull, Richtig & Trapp, 2016).This approach makes the assumption that the mind and body connection is not only relevant but also vital to a person’s entire well being. It takes a holistic approach when treating an individual and can improve health in the

Health psychology views the relationship between the mental and physical state of the individual as well as all contributing factors from their environment, genetics, social experiences, relationships, and mental state. Health psychology then evaluates how these factors add to or limit an individual's state of being on short and long term basis. There are four areas of emphasis studied and examined under health psychology. (Ogden, J. 2017 pgs 1 - 12).

Despite current behavioral health progress monitoring systems more focus on mental health systems, these systems are also connected with emerging health technologies and disease management programs (Steinfield et al. 2014; Steinfield et al. 2016). In other words behavioral health is more than mental health and substance use disorders. This brings along health behavior change, life stressors and stress-related physical symptoms (Davis et al. 2013). On the other hand, traditionally behavioral health has a close relationship with behavioral medicineand these two concepts developed paralel to the emergence of health psychology (Matarazzo 1980). Studies about social health behaviour points out that social forces, ideologies, finances and pharmaceutical

The following essay briefly discussed about the concept of health, illness and wellness and my own personal ideologies about health, family beliefs and cultural health concepts which could affect the health and wellbeing. My visual presentation represents, mammography for Visualization for breast cancer, yoga meditation, hand washing, home remedies and nutritious diet. How they impact and influence me in supporting my health and health needs of my family. I also discuss the influence of these conceptions on my personal life and how all these apply to my future profession as a nurse.