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Overview
Health Psychology investigates the
relationship between the biological, psychosocial, cultural and
social-environmental factors that influence health, illness and health
behaviours. Specific causations in relation to various illnesses are
investigated and tailored interventions to meet the needs of individuals,
groups and communities are considered.
In studying this unit, students will
critically explore different theoretical perspectives and approaches of
health with emphasis on the causes and behavioural processes that influence
or prevent deterioration and the development of an illness. Students will
examine different disorders that have a significant psychological dimension
including eating disorders, stress and anxiety, alcohol and drug dependency.
They will analyse the different factors and combinations of factors that give
rise to these conditions and affect their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Discuss how biological and social factors impact the health and behaviour of individuals at different life stages. The unit includes an exploration of the process of psychological evaluation
relating to specific conditions with emphasis on influencing attitudes and
awareness towards better health outcomes and the promotion of behavioural
change. LO1 Discuss how biological and social factors impact the health and behaviour of individuals at different life stages. The enhanced level of enquiry acquired during the study of this unit
will broaden students’ understanding of varied disciplines and perspectives
in health psychology. This enables students to acquire knowledge and
understanding of health psychology, and develop transferable skills needed to
support different types and levels of psychological care needed to support
individuals with a life changing illness.
Scenario:
You
are a support worker within a multi-disciplinary health unit, working
alongside registered general nurses, psychiatrists, and psychologists,
nutritionists, physiotherapists. The unit provides’ assessment and
intervention for individuals who experience a range of behavioural issues
such as smoking, alcohol misuse, and health disorders such as anorexia and
high levels of stress and depression, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,
arthritis, asthma and other long term chronic illnesses.
Task:
You are required to write 3500-4500
words essay which utilises information to critically analyse the
different biological and social factors that impact the health and behaviour
of individuals at different life stages, the contribution of health belief
theories in informing practitioners understanding of different behavioural
disorders, the various forms of assessment used to diagnose and plan
treatment for different health issues and the role of the current
professional regulatory and advisory health psychology framework in
supporting the work of healthcare practitioners. LO1 Discuss how biological and social factors impact the health and behaviour of individuals at different life stages
In this Essay you need to cover:
Discuss how biological and social factors
impact the health and behaviour of individuals at different life stages:
Discuss the relationship
between biological and social factors and behaviour in different life stages
and
Ages
Analyse the influence of biological and social factors on health,
illness, and health behaviours.
Examine how
current theoretical perspectives in health psychology explain human behaviors:
Discuss the
role of different health beliefs in the development of health behaviours
Analyse the
effectiveness of theories of health behaviour in informing our understanding
of different behavioural disorders
Critically analyze
the relationship between different theories of health behaviours and
healthcare practitioners understanding of the development of health disorders
at different life stages.
Explore the various
forms of assessment used to diagnose and plan treatment for different health
issues:
Review how
different forms of assessment are used to identify and support individuals
with specific health conditions
Analyse the
effectiveness of different assessments and interventions used to improve an
individual’s long-term health outcomes
Analyse the
role of health psychology practice in improving outcomes for individuals
using healthcare services:
Review the
role of the current professional regulatory and advisory health psychology
framework in supporting the work of healthcare practitioners
Discuss the
strengths and weaknesses of current legal and ethical obligations in terms of
their impact on the work of healthcare practitioners
Justify the integration
of health psychology in improving health and wellbeing outcomes for
individuals with different health and behavioural issues
Critically
evaluate the utilisation of practitioners experienced in health psychology in
increasing the effectiveness of service provision in health and care settings
This provides
evidence for: P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, M1, M2, M3, M4, D1, D2
Research based Essay: 3500 – 4500 words
Reference list (use Harvard referencing
style).
Recommended Resources:
Textbooks
AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (2015) Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders (5th Ed.)
Washington: American Psychiatric Association. Discuss how biological and social factors impact the health and behaviour of individuals at different life stages
ABRAHAM, C., CONNER, M.,
JONES, F. and O’CONNOR, D. (2016) Health Psychology.
(2nd Ed.). London:
Routledge.
ANISMAN, H. (2016) Health Psychology. London:
Sage Publications Ltd.
BARLEY, E. (2016) Health Psychology in
Nursing Practice. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
MORRISON, V. and BENNETT,
P. (2016) Introduction to Health Psychology.
(4th Ed.). London:
Pearson Education Ltd.
MARKS, D. F., MURRAY. M., EVANS, B, and
ESTACIO, V. E. (2015) Health Psychology:
Theory, Research and
Practice. (4th
Ed.). London: Sage Publications Ltd.
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