Health Psychology Matarazzo (1982): “Health Psychology is the aggregate of the specific educational, scientific, and professional contributions of the discipline of psychology to the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, the identification of etiologic and diagnostic correlates of health, illness, and related dysfunction and to the analysis and improvement of the health care system and health policy formation. Health psychology is defined as the study of psychological and behavioral processes in health, illness and health care (Johnston, 1994). The Biosocial Model in Health Psychology Today, the main approach used in health psychology is known as the biosocial model. According to this view, illness and health are the results of a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Biological factors include inherited personality traits and genetic conditions. Psychological factors involve lifestyle, personality characteristics, and stress levels. Social factors include such things as social support systems, family relationships, and cultural beliefs Mason PH, Roy A, Spillane J, Singh P. Social, historical and cultural dimensions of tuberculosis. J Biosoc Sci. 2016;48(2):206–232. doi:10.1017/S0021932015000115 DEVELOPMENT AND THEORY Health has played a significant role throughout the history of psychology. In fact, many pioneers in the field of psychology were originally trained in medicine. In the case of psychology, though, emphasis is placed largely on mental rather than physical health. Since the 1950s, interest in the role psychological health plays in overall well-being has grown. The development of the Health Belief Model (HBM) by a team of psychologists, including Irwin Rosenstock, was a seminal event in the field of health psychology during the 1960s. The HBM, which sought to explain why some people were not getting vaccinated against tuberculosis, proposes that a person’s likelihood of engaging in a health-promoting behavior is affected by their beliefs about the severity of an illness and their susceptibility to it, the costs and benefits of engaging in the behavior, and the presence of cues to action. As more psychologists were employed by medical facilities, primary care clinics, and medical schools, greater focus was placed on understanding how psychological and physical health intertwine. Health psychology is now its own branch of psychology. Today, health psychologists focus on preventing and treating illness, promoting overall health, and working to improve the health care system. Some health psychologists are also interested in understanding how people handle and recover from physical illness. APPLYING HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY IN THERAPY Even therapists who do not identify specifically as health psychologists can incorporate principles of health psychology into their work. It is not uncommon for people to discuss concerns or fears about their health in therapy, and therapists may provide education about how psychological factors influence physical health. For example, it is widely known that chronic stress can cause physical issues, including headaches, pain, and heart problems. When a therapist educates the people they are working with about the consequences of physical health problems or how psychological factors can influence health, they are using aspects of health psychology. The mind-body connection, another important aspect of health psychology often used in therapy, involves exploring the link between an individual’s emotions and their behavior. Discussion of this connection may commonly occur in therapy. People who deal with overeating, for instance, might explore what emotions trigger an episode of binge eating with a therapist. Techniques such as biofeedback also have a basis in health psychology. Although the mind and body are often viewed as being separate, mental and physical health are actually closely related. Good mental health can positively affect your physical health. In return, poor mental health can negatively affect your physical health. Effects of Mental Health on Physical Health Your mental health plays a huge role in your general well-being. Being in a good mental state can keep you healthy and help prevent serious health conditions. A study found that positive psychological well-being can reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, poor mental health can lead to poor physical health or harmful behaviors. Chronic diseases. Depression has been linked to many chronic illnesses. These illnesses include diabetes, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. Schizophrenia has also been linked to a higher risk of heart and respiratory diseases. Mental health conditions can also make dealing with a chronic illness more difficult. The mortality rate from cancer and heart disease is higher among people with depression or other mental health conditions. Sleep problems. People with mental health conditions are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders, like insomnia or sleep apnea. Insomnia can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. Sleep apnea leads to breathing problems, which can cause you to wake up frequently. Around 50% to 80% of people with mental health conditions will also have sleeping problems. Only 10% to 18% of the general population experience sleeping problems. While conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder may lead to sleep problems, sleep problems can also make existing mental health conditions worse. Smoking. People with mental health conditions are more likely to smoke than those who do not have mental health conditions. Among smokers, people with mental health conditions are more likely to smoke a greater number of cigarettes. People with depression have lower levels of the chemical dopamine. Dopamine influences positive feelings in your brain. The nicotine in cigarettes triggers the production of the chemical dopamine, so smoking may be used as a way to relieve symptoms of depression. However, since nicotine only offers temporary relief, you may feel a recurring need to smoke, which may lead to possible addiction. Access to health care. People with mental health conditions are less likely to have access to adequate health care. It may also be more difficult for people with mental health conditions to take care of their physical health When you have a mental health condition, it can be hard to seek care, take prescriptions regularly, or get enough exercise. HOW CAN HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY HELP? Common issues treated by health psychologists include stress, weight, or pain management, smoking cessation, and reducing risky sexual or health-related behaviors. Health psychologists can help people change problematic behaviors to improve their overall health and well-being. Individuals who recently learned they have a chronic medical condition may also find health psychology useful, as it can help them work on accepting the diagnosis and altering their lifestyle to manage the condition effectively. Moreover, health psychologists can help people with a terminal condition come to terms with it if they are struggling. Health psychology uses a biopsychosocial model of treatment, which means that biological, psychological, and social factors of well-being are considered. The biopsychosocial model is especially relevant in the present day, as major causes of illness and death have changed over time. In earlier centuries, many people died of infections or illnesses that were difficult to control, such as influenza or plagues. Now, the most common causes of death are chronic diseases that are at times related to lifestyle choices or behaviors that can have a negative impact on health. The biopsychosocial model used in health psychology could help people take control of their own behaviors to promote heath and prevent illness or disease. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION To become a health psychologist, it is necessary to obtain a doctoral degree in the field of psychology or become a medical doctor. Some graduate programs offer specialized training in health psychology, though it is also possible to get a general psychology degree and then complete specialized training in health psychology through an internship or other means. Health psychologists must also be licensed to practice psychology in their state. Obtaining licensure typically involves passing one or more examinations and completing a specific amount of supervised training. CONCERNS AND LIMITATIONS Health psychology is a broad field, and different theories within the discipline have various benefits and limitations. The HBM has been criticized for ignoring emotional factors that can play into decision-making about health-related behaviors. Additionally, it is important to consider that no single type of therapy is right for everyone, and health psychology can be somewhat limited in its scope. For instance, people who are not dealing with any health issues may not find health psychology particularly relevant or helpful. References: Becoming a health psychologist. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://careersinpsychology.org/becoming-ahealth-psychologist/ Chapter 1: Introduction to health psychology. (n.d.). Jones and Barlett Publishers, LLC. Retrieved from http://www.jblearning.com/samples/0763743828/43828_CH01_5183.pdf Cherry, K. (2017, August 30). What is health psychology? Retrieved from https://www.verywell.com/what-is-health-psychology-2794907 Health psychology promotes wellness. (n.d.). American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/action/science/health/ History. (n.d.). Society for Health Psychology. Retrieved from https://societyforhealthpsychology.org/about/history/ Stress effects on the body. (n.d.). American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx Walker, R. (1999). Models in health psychology: An introduction. Journal of Diabetes Nursing, 6(3), 188-191. Retrieved from http://www.thejournalofdiabetesnursing.co.uk/media/content/_master/3051/files/pdf/jdn3-6-18891.pdf
