Essential Health Psychology

Summary:
The Essential Psychology Series bridges the gap between simple introductory texts aimed at pre-university studetns and higher level textbooks for upper level undergraduates. Each volume in the series is designed to provide concise yet up-to-date descriptions of the major areas of psychology for first year undergraduates or students taking psychology as a supplement to other courses of study. The authors, who are acknowledged experts in their field, explain the basics carefully and engagingly without over-simplification often foind in introductory textbooks, at the same time providing the reader with insights into current thinking.



Mind-body relationships are the essence of health psychology, and Essential Health Pyschology takes this relationship as its central focus in exploring and explaining the topic to students. The book presents psychological factors in health and illness causation through the concept of 'holism' which posits that health states, health behaviours and cognitions are created by the interaction of other factors or processes within the human condition.



This textbook assumes no prior knowledge of psychology, and works through a series of topics and debates towards an understanding of human health and the psychological nature of it. A wide range of health psychology issues are covered, such as pain, stress, health behaviours and communicating with patients, as well as the more unusual but salient topics of palliative care and psychometric testing in a health context. All these areas of investigation are illustrated with examples of real illness states and the psychological contributions to them, including dental health examples.

• Ideal introductory text: assumes little or no prior knowledge
• Real world examples: case studies show everyday application of health psychology
• Combined presentation of theory and practice

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The biology of health and illness
Perceptions, beliefs and cognitions
Differences between people
Stress and health
The appetites
Communication and behaviour
Psychometrics and the measurement of health and illness
Chronic illness, palliative care and death
Screening, vaccination and other procedures
Mind and body, placebo and pain
Glossary
References
Indexes

About the Author(s):
Mark Forshaw is Principal Lecturer in Psychology at Staffordshire University, UK.

Readership:
Undergraduate students in health psychology within psychology degree programmes. Health psychology on nursing and medical degree programmes.

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