Modern scientific psychology, since its beginnings, has dealt intensely and specifically with problems related to health and illness, not only of the mind but also of the body: it would be enough to remember its involvement with the world of medicine through the itineraries theoretical and applicational aspects of psychosomatics or medical psychology. With the specific expression of health psychology, however, a new orientation seems to be making its way, of more striking proportions, and substantially more coherent with the psychological model. In this Psychology-Online article we will talk precisely about Health psychology: what it is, its history and its functions.
What is health psychology
The Health psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with biopsychosocial processes related to individual and community health.. He also analyzes the healthcare system and develops the methodologies to achieve it; provides specific theoretical and methodological contributions to the health protection and promotionthe prevention of diseases and the study of associated dysfunctions.
Health psychology as a formal discipline has been established in the United States since the 70s of the last century. Among the various reasons for its diffusion, there is, first of all, the notable change in the prevalence of the main pathologies in Western countries, going from infectious diseases (the most important cause of death until a few decades ago) to an increase both chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and accidents (especially on the road).
This change has led to an increase in the importance of psychological-behavioral determinants in the new pathological panorama, thus facilitating greater involvement of psychologists. In analyzing the importance of these factors it may be useful to distinguish three broad categories:
- Habits or ‘styles’ of life
- Reactions to the disease
- Direct psychophysiological effects
In this article, you can see others.
History of health psychology
Health psychology has distant roots, but its history as a scientific discipline is brief: was developed in the United States. Its formal emergence dates back to the 1970s with the creation of the Division of Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association.
- In the 50s and 60semphasis was placed on the relationship between the incidence of physical illness and stressful aspects of life.
- In the 70ssigns of cultural renewal were expressed on the issues of health understood as not only an individual but also a collective good.
- In 1976the first working group within the American Psychological Association (APA) was formed in the United States, which in 1979 led to the creation of section 38 of the APA entitled Health Psychology.
- In 1980Matarazzo, physician, psychologist and first president of the American section, proposed the definition of health psychology.
The Matarazzo’s definition of health psychology is the next:
Health psychology is the set of specific contributions (scientific, professional, training) of the psychological discipline to the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of disease and the identification of etiological correlations, diagnosis of health, illness and associated dysfunctions. Another objective is the analysis and improvement of the healthcare system and the development of health policies.
Currently, health psychology is a subject that is taught in the psychology degree, that is, it is part of this university degree.
Objectives of health psychology
Health psychology deals with analysis and study of the psychological processes involved in health, in the disease and in the cure. Health psychology is a field of research and professional applications that covers:
- The cognitive, affective and emotional, psychosocial, behavioral, social and cultural factors that give rise to the state of health of people (salutogenesis).
- The promotion and maintenance of health from a biopsychosocial perspective.
- The prevention and treatment of diseases and their psychological relationships; the analysis and improvement of health protection systems.
- The contribution to the development of health policies in favor of communities.
Functions of health psychology
What are the specific contributions of health psychology? The health psychologists, assuming an interdisciplinary perspective, they collaborate with numerous professionals: doctors, epidemiologists, health sociologists, nurses, dietitians, rehabilitation therapists and other socio-health agents, teachers, educators, social communication specialists, etc. At the operational level, health psychologists plan, carry out and evaluate:
- Actions aimed at developing healthy lifestyles and abilities (skill training) to cope with stressful conditions.
- Psychoeducational interventions in relation to health and illness (both at the individual level and in institutional settings such as school or work environments);
- Actions to promote individual development and well-being psychophysical throughout life;
- Community training programs to help people and social groups have greater control over their health and improve their quality of life.
- Individual and group treatments to correct unhealthy behaviors (for example, persistence in tobacco use, drug and alcohol use, incorrect eating behaviors, lack of exercise, etc.).
- Individual and group treatment for the better management of disease conditions, especially chronic ones (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, etc.).
In this article, you can see the .
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Health psychology: what it is, history and functionswe recommend that you enter our category.
Bibliography
- Bertini, M. (1994). Health psychology. Retrieved from: https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/psicologia-della-salute_%28Enciclopedia-Italiana%29/
- Bertini, M. (2012). Health psychology. Milan: Raffaello Cortina Editore.
- Cicognani, E., Zani, B. (2000). Health psychology. Bologna: Il Mulino.
- CNOP (2021). The Psychologist of the salute. Retrieved from: https://www.psy.it/allegati/aree-pratica-professionale/psicologo_della_salute.pdf