Course overview
Students will critically examine the relationship between individual psychological processes and health and apply psychological theory to the development of behavioural health interventions. In this course students will develop an advanced understanding of health psychology (including psychological theories, health behaviour and beliefs, the influence of personality, gender and culture, models of health, assessing health information, social and environmental factors, the relationship between stress and illness, addiction and substance abuse, and terminal illness). They will understand how the application of this knowledge may be applied to improve health (including relaxation techniques, psychological strategies, changing health attitudes and beliefs, pain management, relapse prevention, coronary heart disease prevention, and health policies) and the ethics of health psychology research and practice. Students will apply this knowledge in the development of a health behaviour change plan.
Course learning outcomes
- Critically examine how psychological factors affect all aspects of health and illness
- Explain the basic principles, theories and methodologies of health psychology
- Describe and evaluate the psychological precursors to selected illnesses
- Select and apply appropriate behavioural change procedures in individual cases
- Apply psychological theory and research findings in the promotion of good health
- Analyse factors influencing the practitioner-client relationship