Health Psychology

What is the relationship between physical health and psychological influences?  This module describes and evaluates bio-psychosocial approaches to health and illness, looking at processes which account for the occurrence of various physical health outcomes – as well as the maintenance of health.

What does the module cover?

Gain an understanding of the biopsychosocial model and its application to a range of health phenomena.  Explore the social, cultural, and historical, and linguistic factors that have shaped health and illness beliefs.  Become aware of the implications stemming from biopsychosocial processes for the primary prevention of a range of health problems and for health promotion.  Think critically about the nature of health and illness from a biopsychosocial perspective and about the reciprocal nature of psychosocial and physiological processes.  You’ll gain deeper knowledge of the multiple factors that can influence your own health and the health of those around you with implications for health behaviours.

More Information

Module Code:
PY3006

Key topics

• What is health psychology?
• Psychobiological systems in health and illness
• Psychosocial antecedents of health status
• Socio-cognitive models as applied to health                         
• Self-regulation and its effects on health                                  
• Psychological aspects of cancer
• The psychosocial, neuropsychological & quality of  life (QOL) factors involved in chronic illness
• Psychosocial risk-factors for coronary artery disease
• Smoking cessation                       

Pre-requisites

None

Number of credits & study time

20 credits / 200 hours

Assessment

You’ll be required to successfully complete a three-hour exam for this module