Health Psychology
This presentation is on health psychology, stress, the factor most studied by health psychologists. It is
interesting to note that studies have shown that positive emotions influence physiological health
psychology, exploring how biological, psychological, and social environmental factors interact to
influence physical health. It is also called behavioral medicine. Health Psychology takes a biopsychosocial
approach to understanding physical help. A pessimistic interpretation of events in a person's life can
contribute to poor health. This can cause chronic arousal of the body's fight or flight response leading to
physiological damage. It can contribute to poor health by having a poor immune system functioning. This
leads people to engage also in unhealthy habits, such as through their diet and reduces positive coping
strategies. Coping strategies are the various ways that people manage illnesses and stress.
Furthermore, a negative coping strategy would be denying that a person is ill or facing other apparent
stressors. This can predict chronic illnesses. In contrast, talking about negative emotions and important
issues positively affects health. There are some gender differences and coping among men and women.
For women, physiological changes associated with the fight or flight response or less prominent. They
tend to seek support from others and have more extensive social networks. Also, emotionally,
cognitively, and physiologically, they are more sensitive to marital conflict. Men tend to have a much
smaller network of people that they turn to for support. They are less likely to share personal issues and
concerns with others and less likely to benefit physiologically from relationships. Studies have shown
that having a psychological disorder can contribute to more physical health problems. A psychological
disorder may also share a common genetic cause with medical illness. Psychological disorders can create
medical disorders and vice versa. There is stress and personal or professional life for those with
psychological disorders, such as difficulty holding down a job. A psychological disorder may also make a
person more pessimistic and have poor coping skills. A person with a psychological disorder is also more
likely to engage in adverse health habits like smoking.
Moreover, they are less likely to engage in positive health habits like exercise. Some studies have
provided support that psychosocial factors may affect the course of various illnesses, such as cancer.
Psychosocial factors such as having control over cancer and being optimistic can play a role. Also,
positive coping behaviors, such as seeking social support, can have a positive effect. Stress reduction can
also improve health. Other studies do not support these findings but say that these factors may improve
quality of life. Having a type of behavior pattern may also contribute to poor physical health.
Components of a behavior pattern include a sense of time, urgency, being easily aroused to hostility,
and a competitive striving for achievement. Having a type of behavior pattern is a risk factor for
coronary heart disease. Hostility is the essential insignificant component. Men are likelier to have the
type of personality pattern and other risk factors. Modifying hostility can improve cardiovascular
functioning through cognitive and behavioral techniques. This can reduce behavior and help hostile
participants
learn to express themselves. This can also help them to reevaluate certain beliefs that might lead to
urgent and hostile behavior. It seems clear that psychological and physical health are late. It is best to
take care of one psychological health by developing good coping strategies, reducing stress, getting
enough sleep, and taking care of one's overall well-being.
