Health Psychology

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY, THIRD EDITION
Deborah C. Beidel/ Cynthia M. Bulik/ Melinda A. Stanley
Chapter 14
Health Psychology
2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chapter Outline
Health Psychology: Defining the Field
The Role of Stress in Physical and
Mental Health
Psychology and Behavior in Medical
Illness
Psychological Treatments for HealthRelated Conditions
Health Psychology: Defining the Field

Uses principles and methods from
psychology to understand how attitudes
and behaviors influence health illness
Behavioral medicine
Medical psychology
Biopsychosocial model
Biomedical model
17th century French Philosopher Rene

Descartes says
Mind-body
dualism a belief
that the mind and
body function
independently
Freud linked the mind and
body to explain hysteria,
known as conversion
disorder today.
-In the past, only biological

causes were used to identify
medical illnesses
-In present day, psychology
now plays a role in the
treatment of medical illness
-Psychologists offer services
around prevention,
treatment, or management
of physical health problems
The Mind, Body, and

Environment
Psychological variables,
such as health habits,
attitudes, and personality
and social factors such as
stress and social
supports, are now
accepted as major
contributors to physical
health. How do
psychological and social
factors influence your
personal health?
Figure 14.1 The

Biopsychosocial Model of
Health or Illness
Which came first, stress or physical and

mental health problems?
Stress (negative emotional experience accompanied by
biochemical, physiological, cognitive, and behavioral
responses aimed at changing or adjusting to the stressor)
Stressor (any event that produces tension or other negative

emotion, such as fear)
Appraisal process (assessment of whether a person has

the resources or coping skills to meet the demands of a
situation)
Forms of stress
Figure 14.2 The Appraisal Process Following a

Stressful Event
Measuring Stress
Acute stress is
measured with acute
stress paradigm
Acute stress
paradigm (a procedure
Social Readjustment
Rating Scale (SRRS)
The Hassles Scale
Uplifts Scale
in which short-term stress

is created in the laboratory,
and its impact on
physiological,
neuroendocrine, and
psychological responses is
measured)
The Impact of Stress on Health

Indirectly vs. Directly SympatheticGeneral Adaption
Adrenomedullary
Syndrome (GAS)- a
System (SAM)- responds to
three-stage process of
stress adaptation, including
alarm, resistance, and
exhaustion
stress in which increased

adrenal gland stimulation
results in the secretion of
epinephrine and
norepinephrine)
Hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenocortical (HPA) axis
Fact or Fiction?
When you are stressed, wounds heal faster.
Mood changes have little impact on

immune system functioning.
Fact or fiction?
No, actually stress causes wounds to heal more

slowly, chronic diseases progress more rapidly, and
vaccines are less effective.
Fact or fiction?
No, both stress and immune functioning are related

to increases in negative moods, especially
depression, anxiety, hostility, and anger.
Stress and the Immune System

Specific immune system (protection against specific
infections and diseases as a result of natural or artificial
processes)
Immune system (protects the body against bacteria,

viruses, and carcinogens)
Nonspecific immune system
(general protection
against infections and diseases provided by anatomical
barriers, phagocytosis, B-lymphocytes, and inflammation)
Sex, Race, and Developmental Issues

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP one of the
most common complaints during childhood with
only 10 to 15% having a physical cause identified)
Men and problem-focused coping

versus women and emotion-focused
coping
Women and tend and befriend
Research Hot Topic:

Religion, Stress, and Health
Religion
-Most people in the U.S. believe

religion is important
-Regular attendance at church
services is associated with
reduced mortality
-Religion and spirituality improve
coping skills
-Reduce depression
-Decrease adolescent sexual
behavior
Inconsistencies in the
findings
Few standardized
questionnaires
available
Varying definitions of
what it means to be
religious or spiritual
Health benefits
Steps to being mentally and

physically healthy are
Dietary habits (only
33% of people in the U.S.
eat the recommended
servings of fruits and
vegetables)
Exercise
-Decreased resting heart
rate
-Lower blood pressure
-Improved sleep
-Lower rates of obesity
-Lower rates of cardiovascular

disease
-Increased longevity
-People who exercise less have
lower incomes, less education
and social support
-Women less physically active
Risk factors of smoking

-Poor health, disease, and death
Sleep Disturbance
30% of people report sleep disruption
Difficulty sleeping can be acute or chronic
Children and sleep disorders (sleepwalking, sleep
terrors, and nightmares)
Relaxation training
and cognitive
therapy can help.
Sleep paralysis
Most common insomnia
May result from stress, anxiety, medical
problems, poor sleep habits, or depression
I Object or Accept!
What are your thoughts?
Can I get HIV from tattoos or body piercings?
1. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(2009) a risk of HIV transmission does exist if tools
contaminated with blood are not cleaned and sterilized properly
between clients. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends that tools that are intended to
penetrate the skin be used once, then disposed of or thoroughly
cleaned and sterilized between clients.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2009). Women and HIV/AIDS. Retrieved on September 28, 2009, from
http://www.womenshealth.gov/hiv/myths/.
Psychological Factors and HIV/AIDS

Early symptoms (flu-like)
Methods of transmission
African Americans (account for highest
proportion of patients with HIV/AIDS)
Stigma
Deterioration of physical health
Depression, anxiety, stress, substance
abuse, and social support influences
Real People, Real Disorders

Magic Johnson
NBA player
Still living after18
years
November 7, 1991,
announced he was Used celebrity status
HIV positive
to reduce stigma and
educate the public
Retired from an
amazing basketball AIDS isnt just a gay
career
disease
Psychological Factors and Cancer

Second leading cause of death
Over one million are diagnosed, and
half a million die from cancer yearly
Effects widespread (impact on family and
friends)
Risk factors for cancer

Type C Personality
Depression, pessimism,
negative expectation,
and avoidant coping
styles are all associated
with rapid disease
progression.
Stop and Think!

Which came first, was it the
depression or was it the pain?
Key Points: People who experience pain feel unable to engage in premorbid activities
(activities they once enjoyed before the pain started) which leads to a decrease in feelings of
control, depression, and an increase in the amount of worrying (anxiety) about how life will
change as the pain gets worse. In addition, pain is commonplace among those who are
suffering from depression according to the text.
Psychological Factors and

Chronic Pain
85% of people will have back pain at some
point
Acute versus chronic
Depression and anxiety (co-occur with pain, worsen
symptoms, and create a poor response to treatment)
African American and Hispanic patients show

more pain sensitivity and less pain tolerance
Common treatments include
analgesic medications,
biofeedback, and hypnosis.
The goal of treatment is to

eliminate, reduce, or improve
functioning related to pain.
Are Opioid Medications Useful or Too

Risky in the Treatment of Pain?
Lets examine the
evidence
Fact: Studies show opioids are

effective, about 15% of cancer
patients and 80% of noncancer
patients fail to receive adequate
pain management treatment, and
addiction occurs less frequently
when used to treat pain.
1. Research states that

opioids are the most
abused prescription
drug, long-term use
increases pain sensitivity,
and is accompanied by Conclusion: The research shows
that opioids can be used
illegal behavior.
appropriately when patients take
the medicine as prescribed.
And a Health Psychologist

Can Help With
Has a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D.) in
psychology (specialty training in
medical/health issues)
Trained in scientist-practitioner model
Work with a patient or medical team
Change how one acts, thinks, and feels
related to health and illness
Work with individuals or groups
Conduct research
Health Psychology Interventions

Primary prevention
Secondary
prevention
Public education
and awareness
Stimulus control
Contingency
contracting
Do you
Eat a balanced diet?
Exercise regularly?
Sleep at least seven
hours a night?
Smoke, or drink too
much alcohol?
Always wear your
seatbelt?
Use sunscreen?
Stress Management and Adjusting to

Life with a Chronic Illness
Relationship
Good social
between stress and
support
health
Coping with a
Stressmedical illness is
management skills
similar to coping
with stress
Education and
awareness
Self-efficacy or
Self-monitoring
confidence
Quick Recap
1. _____ is any event or stimulus that
produces tension or other negative
emotion.
(a) Stress
(b) Stressor
(c) Stress response
(d) Stress process
Quick Recap
2. The ______ suggests that health is
determined by complex interactions
among biological, psychological, and
social factors.
(a) biopsychosocial model
(b) sociocultural model
(c) biomedical model
(d) biological model
Reviewing Learning Objectives

1. Health psychology incorporates the principles and
methods of psychology to understand the effects of
our actions, thoughts, and feelings impact health and
illness.
2. Mind-body dualism suggests that the mind and body
function independently, an idea not supported by
current empirical research.
3. Stress is determined by the interaction between a
person and an event which stress can take the form
of being acute or chronic.
Reviewing Learning Objectives

4. Stress has been linked to a variety of negative factors
related to both physical and emotional health.
5. Some factors contribute to health problems such as
eating, sleeping, exercise, use of alcohol and nicotine,
level of sun exposure, and risky sexual behaviors.
6. Anxiety and depression are common secondary
symptoms as a result of serious medical illnesses. In
addition, psychological, environmental, and cultural
factors contribute to perception of pain, while multiple
strategies can alleviate and reduce stress.

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ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY, THIRD EDITION

Deborah C. Beidel/ Cynthia M. Bulik/ Melinda A. Stanley

2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.