Health psychology is the study of health, illness, and medical care using psychological theory and research. It is a branch of psychology that studies how biology, psychology, behavior, and social factors interact to influence health and illness. The application of psychological theory to health-related practices is known as health psychology, also known as behavioral medicine or medical psychology. There are two main areas of study within the field of health psychology.
Behavioral health is concerned with the prevention of health problems and illnesses, whereas behavioral medicine is concerned with the treatment of such problems and illnesses. The psychology of a variety of health-related behaviors, such as nutrition, exercise, healthcare utilization, and medical decision-making, is covered by health psychology.
A wide range of factors have an impact on one’s health and illness. While contagious and hereditary illnesses are common, a variety of behavioral and psychological factors can have an impact on overall health and medical conditions.
Concerns of Health Psychologists
This psychology is concerned with the promotion of good health as well as the prevention and treatment of disease and illness. Health psychologists also study how people react to illness, cope with it, and recover from it. Some health psychologists work to improve the health-care system as well as the government’s health-care policy approach.
In the 1970s, the field arose to address the rapidly changing field of healthcare. In the United States today, life expectancy is around 80 years, and the leading causes of death are chronic diseases that are often linked to lifestyle. These changes in health can be addressed with the help of health psychology. Health psychologists hope to help people live better, healthier lives by studying the patterns of behavior that underpin disease and death.
What Makes Health Psychology So Special?
It is special due to the reason that it concentrates on how behavior affects health. It suits well to people who assist others in changing behaviors that promote happiness and health. For instance, psychologists in this area of study might conduct applied research on how to shift a person from unhealthy habits like smoking and to finding new ways to encourage healthy actions like meditation.
While most people understand that eating a high-sugar diet is bad for their health, many people continue to engage in such behaviors regardless of the short- and long-term consequences. Health psychologists study the psychological factors that influence people’s health decisions and look for ways to encourage them to make better ones.
Issues in this Area
Individuals, groups, and communities work with health psychologists to reduce risk factors, improve overall health, and prevent illness.
They conduct research and offer services in the following areas:
- Reduction of stress
- Controlling your weight
- Quitting smoking
- Increasing daily nutrient intake
- Lowering the number of risky sexual behaviors
- Grief counseling and hospice care
- Illness prevention
- Recognizing the consequences of illness
- Improving the recovery process
- Teaching coping mechanisms
In-Practice Health Psychology
This field is rapidly expanding. People are seeking health-related information and resources in greater numbers as they seek to take control of their own health.
Health psychologists are well-suited to meet this growing demand because they focus on educating people about their own health and well-being. Many health psychologists specialize in prevention, assisting people in preventing health problems before they arise.
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