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Health Psych – Module 4

Resources and summaries taken from the lecture, slides and book chapter.

Resources

The Breakdown

Here is a summary drawing on the provided source material regarding Module 4:

Important

  • The Biopsychosocial Model – Assumes health is influenced by coordinated influences from biological, psychological, and social factors, contrasting with the biomedical model. This is presented as the current approach to health, is a crucial statement for health psychology, and requires considering all three factors for an appropriate diagnosis.
  • Content for Exams – The primary source for exam content is what is discussed in class (lectures and slides). The textbook serves as a resource for reviewing and strengthening understanding of concepts covered in class. The midterm exam will cover Chapters 1 through 7, as well as any other content discussed in lectures.
  • Key Benefits of Exercise – The important benefits of exercise to focus on for this class include decreases in obesity, decreases in negative mood, and improved cognitive function.

Core concepts

  • Health Psychology: This field focuses on understanding psychological influences on how people maintain health, why people become ill, and how they respond once they are sick. It integrates biology, psychology, and social context.
  • Health Behaviour: This refers to a behavioral choice made by an individual that can impact their health, such as choosing to wear a helmet. Many major risk factors for disease are linked to lifestyle choices and behaviours.
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance: A key focus of health psychologists, which differs from the typical medical approach that primarily deals with existing illness. Prevention and promotion of good health are considered cornerstones of health psychology.
  • Preventable Injuries: Injuries that can often be avoided or mitigated through specific behavioural choices, such as wearing a helmet while engaging in certain activities.
  • Factors Influencing Healthy Lifestyle: Various factors contribute to whether individuals adopt or maintain healthy lifestyles, including socioeconomic factors. Choices and behaviours related to lifestyle are linked to risk factors for leading causes of death.
  • Obesity: Discussed as a significant health topic and a condition linked to various other health issues. Exercise, as a health behaviour, is noted for its benefit in decreasing obesity.
  • Relentless Pursuit of Health: Health is viewed not as a state of being free from disease, but rather an ongoing process and a continuous goal to strive towards achieving optimal well-being.

Theories and Frameworks

  • Biopsychosocial Model (BPS model): A contemporary approach to health that posits health outcomes and illness are the result of the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors. It is considered more holistic and inclusive than the biomedical model.
  • Biomedical Model: An older model that attributes health and illness primarily to physical or biological processes, such as biochemical or neurophysiological changes. It tends to focus more on illness than health.
  • Theory of Planned Behavior: Proposes that a person’s behavioral intention to perform a specific action is influenced by their attitude towards the action, the subjective norms (perceptions of what relevant others think they should do), and their perceived behavioural control (belief in their ability to perform the action).
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A therapeutic approach that helps individuals change their behaviour by identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and self-talk. It involves strategies like self-observation, monitoring, and developing coping mechanisms.
  • Crisis Theory: Suggests that coping with a health problem begins with a cognitive appraisal of the problem’s significance, leading to the formulation of adaptive tasks and the application of coping skills.
  • Gate-Control Theory: A theory related to pain perception. It suggests that non-painful input can close the “gates” to painful input, preventing pain sensation from travelling to the central nervous system. Techniques like distraction can be understood through this framework.
  • Stress Management Techniques: Various methods aimed at reducing the impact of stress on health, including relaxation, biofeedback (monitoring physiological processes to gain control), meditation, and stress-inoculation training (preparing for stressful events). Multidimensional programs combining techniques are often more effective.

Notable Individuals

  • RenĂ© Descartes: A 17th-century philosopher who viewed the mind and body as separate entities (Cartesian dualism) and conceived of the body as a machine.
  • Sigmund Freud: Introduced the concept of conversion hysteria, suggesting that mental conflicts can manifest as physical symptoms, linking the mind and body.
  • Melzack: A researcher known for recognizing the multidimensional nature of pain and developing tools like the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ).
  • Stephen Blair: A professor who has researched the significant impact of physical activity on health outcomes.
  • David Reynolds: Conducted a study supporting the Gate-Control Theory by demonstrating that brain impulses could inhibit pain perception in rats.
  • Herbert Benson: Advocated for the use of meditation as a method for reducing stress.
  • Wolfgang Linden and Laura Chambers: Conducted a meta-analysis finding that multidimensional stress management programs were effective for treating hypertension.
  • Corinne Fischer and Michael Thaut: Researchers involved in studying the use of music therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Terry Mitchell: A researcher who highlights the role of historical trauma in contributing to health inequities among Indigenous populations in Canada.