Health psychology is a branch of psychology whose objective is the analysis of personal behaviors and lifestyles that can affect physical health. It involves the contributions of psychology to the improvement of health, the prevention and treatment of diseases, the identification of risk factors for health, the improvement of the health system and the influence of public opinion associated with health aspects.
In turn, health psychology involves the application of psychological principles in areas related to physical health (lowering blood pressure, cholesterol control, reducing stress, pain relief, smoking cessation, moderation of lifestyle behaviors). risk) and promotion of healthy behaviors (exercise, medical and dental check-ups, and other “safe” behaviors).
On the other hand, this branch of psychology helps identify a variety of conditions that affect health, the diagnosis and treatment of specific chronic diseases, and the modification of behaviors involved in psychological and physiological rehabilitation.
Thus, Health Psychology is related to Behavioral Health. Below we leave a brief definition of each one, to be able to appreciate the objective that differentiates each of these specialties:
Behavioral Medicine: It focuses on applying knowledge and techniques from behavioral research to physical health, including subjects such as prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
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Behavioral Health: deals with the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease in people who are in good health.
Health Psychology: It is the specialty within psychology that deals with all those issues that have to do with the maintenance of physical health. Health Psychology deals with topics such as improving health, preventing and treating disease, identifying risk factors, improving the health system, and raising public opinion on issues related to health. health.
Fountain: Brannon, L. & Feist, J. (2001), Health PsychologyThomson Learning Auditorium: Madrid