CLASS 32

HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Physical health influenced by psychological health

IF SO: possible prevention rather than fixing the problem afterward

THEMES

Physical health influenced by psychological health

IF SO: suggests possible prevention rather than

fixing the problem afterward

STRATEGIES: Avoid causes or manage emotions

THEMES

HISTORY

Psycho-somatic effects

Behavioral medicine

Health Psychology

Suggests a focus on prevention, rather than cure

STRESS - HEALTHCYCLE

Why do people get sick?

BIOMEDICAL MODEL

Exposure to pathogens Immune response either sufficient or

insufficient

STRESS

Stress and health outcomes

Acute stress Chronic stress

Physical problems Psychological problems

Sequence leading to physical problems Stressful event

Cognitive appraisal ( interpretation )

Physical activation (eg endocrine system)

Health problems

Mechanism

CARDIO-VASCULAR DISEASE

Sequence leading to psychological problems Stressful event

Cognitive appraisal ( interpretation )

Adjustment disorder (mild)

PTSD (serious)

Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome PTSD

PTSD

Coping can help

examples

REAPPRAISAL Reframing of event to provide a more adaptive

meaning STRESS REDUCTION

Relaxation Social support

Research Methods

Problems Ethics of experiments

e.g., Social support studies Design problem Correlation vs. causation

New methods

Cold studies Induce a cold

Examine effects of stress, social support, etc

“Hickie” studies

Induce a welt

Examine care giver stress

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

Type A personality

Self-induced stress Therefore, curable

Work-a-holic, Impatient

Actually two of the Big Five (agreeableness; neuroticism)

Conscientiousness

Health Adds 7.5 years to lifespan

Better self-care

Better medical care

Neuroticism

Intrinsic stress : biological vulnerability

Situational : neurotics get themselves into trouble

Disagreeableness

Grouchiness damages immune system

Self-induced conflict: fights cause stress

PREVENTIONControllable factors:

AVOIDANCE Positive health behaviors (sleep, nutrition, relaxation)

MANAGEMENT Social relationships (support, conflict) Coping strategies: Stress/emotions

TRADEOFF AWARENESS