Question

In an essay form discuss the how the field of Health Psychology evolved. Be sure to mention the changing pattern of illness (and cause of death) and the change in the perception of mind/body connection. Discuss how these trends created a need for Health Psychology.

Answer 1

Introduction- The term health psychology refers to the study of health and behavior, the subject deeply concerned with the relationship between psychological factors and health.

As we know, the mind is the controller of our body, if we are able to understand the psychological connections with the physical problems, we would be able to help people being happy and healthy and health psychology helps us to do so.

Psychological factors affect our health directly, for example, if a person feels unhealthy would show the symptoms of diseases, health psychology help us to estimate the factors that affect one’s health especially psychological factors.

History- The development of health psychology varies from culture to culture, formally, in 1969, William Schofield published a report, The Role of Psychology in the delivery of Health Service, however, he showed a little attention over physical health and psychological behavior but his initiation helped scientists to research in the area of health and after 1970, health psychology became a separate field of applied psychological science.

Alameda County Study showed that people who take regular breakfast maintains balanced behavior and good physical health, the later studies suggested that health is strongly connected with mental health. In 1977, Joseph Matarazzo publicly spoken over the role of health psychology, his speech opened formal doors to further study in the field of the new school of psychology.

References-

Johnston M. (1994), “Current trends in Health Psychology”.

Matarazzo J D (1980), “Behavioral health and behavioral medicine: Frontiers for new health psychology”

The British General of Health Psychology.

“Health and Well-being” Applied Psychology.