What is health psychology?

A reflective article published by theMexican Institute of Social Security, describes the most relevant definitions of health psychology from the 70s. In the writing it is explained that health psychologytries to discern the different known pathologiesand their relationship with thepsychological processes, which each human being experiences. (3)

That is, it details the influence of psychological aspectssuch aspersonality, behavior and values on health conditions and how both branches can merge to cure diseases.

What are the characteristics of health psychology?

Due to the long trajectory that the development of health psychology had, its research and consolidation led it to be one of themost complex and extensive types ofpsychology, for this reason it has the following characteristics:

1. It is a branch of psychology

As explained before, the psychology of health is the combination of scientific studies that encompass the relationships between the body, the mind and the diseases that directly attack both sciences.

Note: This type of psychology is based on diseases that are related to psychological disorders , such as behavioral disorders or depression, which in turn can lead to major problems in the Central Nervous System .

2. Analyze behaviors and lifestyles that affect health

One of the main characteristics of health psychology is that it focuses on discerning between the routines and lifestyle of each patient, that is, it is the starting point to find the root of the disease.

To highlight: The analysis of the behavior that the patient has, is the fundamental basis for diagnosis and subsequent treatmenttag. Being the rhythms of life wherestress, tiredness and mental exhaustion are one of the factors that mainly lead to diseases included within the field of behavioral medicine.

3. Promotes development and quality of life

This field of psychology not only seeks to diagnose diseases, one of its principles is to promote development to improve the quality of life in any individual, whether sick or healthy.

You should know: Like any health specialty, it seeks both to cure and to prevent the evolution of diseases, in this case, which involve elements close to psychology, contributing ideas and objectives that will make society healthier mentally and physically.

4. Determine the psychosocial causes of illnesses

Researchers Johnson, Weinman and Chater from the journal Health Psychology , determined that there are epidemiological data that relate psychology to health and how psychosocial factors affect the development of new diseases . (4)

Therefore, Other branches known as Psychophysiology ((5) and Psychoneuroimmunology (6)arise , in this sense, the first one deals with the physiological bases of the biological processes of the human body. While the second, is in charge ofstudying the communication of the mind and the body , which directly relates the style and quality of life that each individual leads to the suffering of certain diseases.

5. It is related to behavioral medicine

The aforementioned, Joseph D. Matarazzo made extensive contributions on behavioral medicine , which were compiled and published by the Journal of Behavior, Health & Social Issues of the National Autonomous University of Mexico . (7)

Note: The relationship between these main areas of psychology is that both Study the behaviors and psychological processes of individuals in the cure of different diseases.

That is, behavioral medicine derives from health psychology, however, the difference between health psychology and behavioral medicine is that the latter, apart from focusing on health, also covers branches such as nutrition, pharmacology and sociology .

What are the goals of health psychology?

Health psychology, being one of the main areas that studies the close relationship that exists between the body and the mind in the face of nervous or other diseases, has a series of goals that distinguish it and make it so complex. :

1. Promote healthy lifestyles

It is not only about curing diseases, but also teaching the population about their prevention and how to have a better quality of life where health is one of the essential points.

Therefore, health psychology aims to improve both the relationship between the doctor and the patient for better results in the treatments applied, as well as the promotion of principles that encourage society to take care of their health.

2. Modify habits to prevent diseases

The bad habits that people commonly have are known as a sedentary lifestyle or lack of physical activity, smoking and poor diet, considered the main triggers for heart, gastrointestinal and muscle diseases.

To highlight: The psychology of health, seeks to modify these unhealthy routines to avoid possible health complications in society, with special emphasis on the consequences of bad habits and also on how to improve your lifestyle.

3. Treat diseases of different severity

Health psychology is also applied to people with low self-esteem or who suffer from anxiety and depressive disorders, generated by suffering from some pathology.

You should know: This field of psychology aims to focus on helping all people who need help at a psycho-emotional level , so that their immune system and their thoughts are strengthened and they can overcome the disease they suffer from.

4. Identify health risk factors

It is not only a question of attacking already known diseases, but also of discovering new pathologies that develop from psychological problems.

That is, to know which are the elements that have a negative influence and that are a risk to health, thus generating new therapies that will help improve patients and that in turn will provide the necessary knowledge to avoid them.

5. Raise awareness in society about health issues

The Open University of Catalonia , published an article where they highlight the importance of disease prevention within health psychology , stating that it must start from small communities in order to reach the entire population. (8)

Note: The objective of this field of study is to educate about the prevention of diseases , from the most common to the most complex and thus reduce mortality rates.

As explained above, beyond curing diseases and developing new treatments, Social awareness is imperative on issues that are linked to health , such as prevention, risks, and factors that exacerbate diseases.

What is the importance of health psychology?

Health psychology has instilled special importance within the medical and psychological field , currently there are highly relevant journals such as the American Psychologist (9) , which are dedicated to providing all kinds of information on this field.

Therefore, its importance lies in providing preventive means and the correct way to face different types of pathologies to society in general, strengthening the sense of responsibility in the patient who is under medical treatment.

To highlight: Health psychology maintains criteria that are different from Clinical psychology , since it focuses on treating and reducing people’s psychological problems.

Key Findings

  • Health psychology tries to discern the different known pathologies and their relationship with the psychological processes of the human being.
  • This type of psychology is based on diseases that are related to psychological disorders , such as behavioral disorders or depression.
  • Health psychology not only seeks to diagnose diseases, one of its principles is to promote development to improve the quality of life.
  • Health psychology seeks to modify unhealthy routines to avoid possible health complications in society.
  • Its importance lies in providing preventive means and the correct way to deal with different types of pathologies to society in general.

 

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