Learning Outcomes
To become familiar with the main issues that health psychologists deal with
To gain understanding of the complex relationships between biological, psychological and social factors in physical health
To become familiar with the main theoretical approaches and research methods in health psychology
To learn about the main fields of application of health psyschology
Course Content (Syllabus)
The course entails a presentation of the psychological, social and cultural aspects of health and illness. We will present the biopsychosocial model and focus on the interactions between the biological, behavioural, psychological and social factors that affect the development and course of illness. Specifically, we will discuss the relationship between stress and illness, the processes involved in identifying symptoms and illness behaviours, the relationship between personality and health, social inequalities in health, the experience of chronic illness, specific illnesses (heart disease, cancer, AIDS), psychological issues in terminal illness, critical health psychology, doctor-patient communication and relationship, health prevention and professional issues regarding health psychologists.
Keywords
health inequalities, stress and health, stress and coping, health communication, personality and health, coping with chronic illness, coping with dealth