Chapter 1 Introducing Health Psychology
changing definition of health - The "old" definition of health was simply "an
absence of disease." The "current" definition of health refers to "a state of
positive well-being" with the person occupying a location along a "disease health" continuum.
chronic diseases - develop or persist over a long period of time (e.g., heart
disease). Many are caused by poor lifestyle choices such as smoking. They are
currently the leading cause of death in the U. S. Part of this change is due to
medical advances leading to a longer lifespan, and an aging population.
Robert Sapolsky - (1998), in discussing changing causes of death and
increasing lifespan noted that "We are now living well enough and long enough to
slowly fall apart."
infectious diseases - such as influenza or tuberculosis were the leading cause
of death in 1900. Most have long since been brought under control.
age differences and health - Unintentional injuries (accidents) are the leading
cause of death for teenagers and young (under 25) adults. For adults over age
24, cardiovascular (heart) disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries (accidents)
are the three leading causes.
ethnicity and health - As a group, African Americans have the most difficulty
with health problems. Hispanic Americans fare better but are still at a
disadvantage when compared with European Americans.
life expectancy - has increased by about "30 Years" between 1900 and 2000.
The most important factor in this decrease has been the reduction in "infant
mortality."
education and health - Those who attend college are healthier and live longer
than those who don't. They are less likely to smoke or take illicit drugs, more
likely to exercise and eat a healthy diet, and will have better access to "health
care."
health care costs - have been rising at a much faster rate than inflation.
Causes include an aging population and use of innovative by costly technologies.
To lower costs, we need early detection, healthier lifestyles, and illness
preventing behaviors.
biomedical model - The perspective that considers disease to result from
exposure to specific disease-causing organisms (pathogens).
pathogen - Any disease-causing organism (e.g., the AIDS virus).
biopsychosocial model - The currently popular approach to health that
recognizes the importance of biological, psychological, and social influences.
positive psychology - A modern trend in psychology that focuses on
psychological wellness (as opposed to disorder) is consistent with the views of
health psychology.
psychosomatic medicine - Approach that assumes there are direct
psychological or emotional causes for physical illness. This grew out of Freud's
idea that psychic conflict could be expressed in physical symptoms. It was a
popular view in the early 1900s but is no longer widely accepted.
behavioral medicine - is an "interdisciplinary" approach (includes physicians,
nurses, psychologists, etc.) that seeks to apply both behavioral and biological
science to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of illness.
health psychology - The goals are essentially the same as behavioral medicine.
However, heath psychology is a "sub-discipline" of psychology and not
interdisciplinary.
APA division 38 - In 1978, the American Psychological Association recognized
"health psychology" (APA division 38) as a distinct discipline.