University of Burao
Health Psychology
Lecturer: Mr. Bashir Mohamed (BEd, MPH, MAPPM)
1
Course Description
• This course will focus on the theoretical, scientific,
and applied aspects of the field of health psychology.
2/8/2025
2
Course Outline
 Chapter 1: Intro. to health psychology
 Chapter 2: Biological Basis of Behaviour
 Chapter 3: Behavioral Pediatrics
 Chapter 4: Health and personality
 Chapter 5: Stress and Stress management
 Chapter 6: Psychological Disorders
 Chapter 7: Psychotherapy
2/8/2025
3
Course Objectives
At the end of this course learners will be able to:
• Identify basic concepts about health psychology
• Understand how lifestyle, behaviour, personality, social
support and stress link with human health
• Discuss the relationship between physiology, mental
processes and behaviour
• Understand components of human brain and function(s)
of each component
• Identity root causes of behaviour differences in humans
2/8/2025
4
Cont.
• Discuss common behavioural problems of children and
their management
• Comprehend main concepts of personality
• Identify main factors that contribute to differences in
personality
• Classify different personality disorders
• Understand basic concepts and causes of human stress
• Explain the management strategies of stress
• Identify perspectives on causes of psychological
disorders
2/8/2025
5
Cont.
• Describe classification of psychological disorders and
their management
• Discuss most common psychological disorders in
humans
• Describe basic concepts of psychotherapy
• Understand treatment techniques of psychological
disorders
2/8/2025
6
Teaching and Learning Methods
• Lecturing
• Group discussions (students centered)
• Oral questions and answers
• Reading assignments
2/8/2025
7
Assessment Procedure
• Class activity and attendance = 10%
• Individual assignment = 10%
• Midterm examination = 30%
• Final Examination = 50%
2/8/2025
8
Students are expected to:
• Participate actively in classroom discussions
• Attend class regularly, on time and remain the entire
class period.
• Stay abreast of all reading assigned in the course syllabus.
• Submit required assignment(s) on time.
• Assume responsibility for their own learning.
• Respect for the values, beliefs and opinions of all
students.
• Adhere strictly to standards of academic honesty
2/8/2025
9
Chapter 1:
Introduction to Health Psychology
2/8/2025
10
Biopsychosocial Model
• The biopsychosocial model is a comprehensive
approach to understanding health and illness that
incorporates three interconnected domains:
biological, psychological, and social factors.
• It was developed by psychiatrist George Engel in
1977
2/8/2025
24
2/8/2025
33