Health Psychology

written by Lesley C.

    Health psychology focuses on how human behavior and social contexts influence health and illness. These psychologists try to identify links between behaviors and experiences to the health of a person, as well as to recommend changes a person can make either mentally or behaviorally to improve their health. Health psychologists have already found numerous circumstances in which behavior, and even personality, affect health. For example, the need for drugs, a.k.a. addiction for them, contributes to the deteriorating of both mental and physical health. Individuals who have thrill-seeking personalities are more likely to drive faster, and are therefore more likely to get injured. There are also links between a patient’s trust of his/her doctor; if there is mistrust, a patient is less likely to visit the doctor and get checkups. Other causes of either worsening or improving health, although more intangible, include a patient’s economic standing, political viewpoints, cultural influences, religious views, and community influences.
    Health psychologists, besides uncovering these links, try to find ways to prevent behavior from harming one’s health. One way is cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy which is based on modifying cognitions, assumptions, beliefs and behaviors in an attempt to influence and change “disturbed” emotions. By undergoing this therapy, a patient can discover any subconscious fears or emotions that have been hindering his life or that have been detrimental to his/her health. Then, he can confront these emotions and begin changing his behavior. Another way to prevent behavior from harming one’s health is through education. Many people do not realize the risk they are taking when doing certain things, such as smoking. By educating these people, through means such as campaigns or lectures, they may stop these seemingly innocuous behaviors that are actually harmful.
    These psychologists are also interested in learning how an illness affects one’s mental health, as illnesses have a way of affecting one’s entire life. If a patient were to be diagnosed with a terminal illness, bills may pile up which cause stress to build in him. He may need to find someone that can constantly care for him, causing codependency. This codependency may hurt the patient, as now he thinks that he may not survive on his own. Because of this illness, the patient may become mentally unstable. Health psychologists have acknowledged this potential problem and are currently looking for ways to prevent or treat it.
    Health psychology is extremely important in maintaining a healthy mind and body. By understanding why behavior can cause deterioration of physical health, we can take precautions in our daily lives. People do not study health psychology only because it is interesting; by learning what certain behaviors affect physical health, they can determine who is more susceptible to illnesses. If psychologists are able to determine this, it will be even easier for us to prevent the worsening of our own health.

Citations:
1. "Health Psychology." Wikipedia. 2008. 4 Mar 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_psychology>.
2. "Careers in Health Psychology." 2006 4 March 2008 <http://www.wcupa.edu/_ACADEMICS/sch_cas.psy/Career_Paths/Health/Career02.htm>.
3. American Psychological Association, "Health Psychology." 2007 4 March 2008 <http://www.health-psych.org/>.