22 Questions
What led to the recognition of the importance of patient-doctor collaboration in the treatment of chronic diseases?
The shift in patterns of diseases causing death in the 21st century
What is a key aspect of Health Psychology according to Matarazzo's definition?
The reduction and treatment of disease and related dysfunctions
What is one of the reasons for the development of Health Psychology?
The need to understand changing health habits and their contribution to the treatment process
What is a key focus of modern health care services?
The mental and social care of not only the sick individual but also his/her family
What is a key aspect of Health Psychology's contribution to health?
The sum of the unique educational, scientific and professional contributions of the discipline of psychology to the development and maintenance of health
What is one of the goals of Health Psychology?
To develop treatment-disease adaptation modalities/education programs
At what age are health habits usually established?
11-12 years of age
Which of the following factors does NOT affect health behaviors?
Marital Status
What percentage of individuals who experience a distressing symptom in the last 2 weeks typically consult a doctor?
Less than 1/3
What is a common method used to cope with symptoms of a disease?
All of the above
According to LAU (1995), what does being sick mean to adults?
All of the above
What is the primary goal of disease prevention in health psychology?
To promote healthy behaviors
Which of the following is a characteristic of individuals who are more likely to have positive health habits?
Younger age
What is the primary focus of etiological research in health psychology?
Assessing the role of behavior in the etiology of disease
Why do individuals with severe symptoms consult health professionals, while those with mild symptoms do not?
The reason is not specified in the text
Which of the following is an example of patient role behavior?
Taking medication
What is a limitation of research on health behaviors?
It only studies patients admitted to the health system
What is the primary role of psychological factors in the treatment process for disease?
To improve treatment compliance
Which of the following is an example of a negative health behavior?
Smoking
What is the primary focus of health policy development in health psychology?
Improving the health system and policies
What is the primary goal of health behavior in health psychology?
To maintain or enrich health status
Which of the following is an example of illness behavior?
Going to the doctor
Study Notes
Health Psychology
- Health psychology is defined as the sum of the unique educational, scientific, and professional contributions of the discipline of psychology to the development and maintenance of health, the reduction and treatment of disease and related dysfunctions.
Fields of Study in Health Psychology
- Psychological factors in the treatment process for the disease
- Treatment compliance, coping, social support, psychotherapeutic interventions
- Etiological research
- Improving the health system/policies
- Understanding the reasons for maintaining behaviors that put health at risk
- Educational activities in the maintenance and development of health
- Disease prevention; protective-preventive health studies
Health Psychology Goals
- Assess the role of behavior in the etiology of disease
- Predicting unhealthy behaviors
- Evaluating the interaction between psychology and physiology
- Understanding the role of psychology in the experience of illness
- Assessing the role of psychology in the treatment of the disease
- Promoting healthy behavior
- Preventing disease
Health Behaviors
- Health behaviors are behaviors that individuals show to maintain or enrich their health status
- Kasl and Cobb (1966) grouped health behaviors under three general headings: preventive health behavior, illness behavior, and patient role behavior
- Matarazzo (1984) defined health behaviors in two aspects: positive health behaviors (health-protective behaviors) and negative health behaviors (behaviors that impair health)
Factors Affecting Health Behaviors
- Age
- Socioeconomic level
- Education level
- Social support level
- Stress level
- Cultural values-norms
- Social impact
- Personal beliefs and values
- Access to health care
- Emotional states
Being Sick
- Being sick is not just about having symptoms or a diagnosis, but also about the individual's perception of their health state
- Most people who feel sick do not consult a doctor, instead, they use alternative coping mechanisms such as ignoring symptoms, buying medicine from a pharmacy, or consulting a friend.
Test your knowledge of health psychology by answering questions on multidisciplinary teams, psychological factors in treatment, etiological research, and more.
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