The Specifics of
By Charles Gilpin
What is Health Psychology?

Definition:
 A field of psychology that contributes to both
behavioral medicine and behavioral health;
the scientific study of behaviors that relate to
health enhancement, disease prevention,
and rehabilitation.

Emphasis
 Enhancement of health and prevention of
disease rather than diagnosis and treatment.
Biomedical vs. Biopsychosocial
Models

Biomedical Model
 Exposure to pathogens (disease-causing
organism).

Biopsychosocial Model
 Biological, psychological, and social
influences.
 Two basic advantages.
○ Incorporates biological, psychological and
social factors.
○ Views health as a positive condition.
Psychologists First, Health
Specialist second.

Health psychologists course work:
 Ph.D. or Psy.D
○ Core graduate psychological course work.
○ Specialized graduate courses:
 Biostatistics
 Epidemiology
 Physiology
 Biochemistry
 Cardiology
Where do I start?

Undergraduate Psychology Courses:
 Epidemiology
○ Study of factors contributing to increased health or
occurrence of disease in a given population.
 Behavior Change
 Health Psychology

Undergraduate Non-Psychology Courses:
 Biomedical science
 Chemistry
Areas of Interest

Stress and Disease
 Sources of stress:
○ Family, workplace, community, ect.
 Side effects of increased stress.
○ Decreased immune system functioning
 Psychoneuroimmunology
○ A multidisciplinary field that focuses on the
interactions among behavior; the nervous
system, the endocrine system, and the
immune system.
Areas of Interest (cont.)

Pain
 Acute, Chronic, and Prechronic.
 Biofeedback
○ Electromyograph (EMG)
 Ex. Low back pain and headaches.
 The experience of pain and Coping.
○ Personal control and hardiness
 Relaxation training
 Cognitive Therapy
Areas of Interest (cont.)

Smoking, Alcohol, and Drug Cessation.
 Intervention for reducing consumption.
 Education on hazards of consumption.
 Drug misuse and abuse.
○ Effective treatment methods.
 Effects of quitting.
○ Identifying positive heath benefits.
○ Coping with negative symptoms.
Areas of Interest (cont.)

Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity and Other
Chronic Illnesses.
 Medication Adherence.
○ Programs to help patients take their meds properly.
 Changing risky behavior.
○ i.e. smoking, drinking, diet, sedentary lifestyle ect.
 Coping with risk factors beyond personal
control.
 Impact on patients and families.
 Coping with the affects of treatment.
Health Psychologists Today

Job Market
 Popularity within the field of psychology.
 Rise in chronic diseases.
○ Obesity, type-2 diabetes, cancer, ect.

Average Pay
 Middle 50%: $45,300 – $77,750
 High: $102,730; Low: $35,280
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
For More Information…

MSU faculty
 Ann D. Branstetter Ph.D.
APA
 Psychology Advisement Office

 Information regarding schools with a health
psychology emphasis.
 Information on which courses you should
take to get started pursuing a career in the
health psychology field.