## Health Psychology Study Notes ### Coping with Stress * **Internal Coping Resources:** These are resources within the individual that help them manage stress. * **Psychological Resilience:** The ability to bounce back from adversity. Think of it like a spring – the more resilient you are, the faster you return to your normal state after being compressed (stressed). * **Self-Efficacy:** A person's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations. A person with high self-efficacy for public speaking would feel confident giving a presentation, while someone with low self-efficacy might feel anxious and unprepared. * **External Coping Resources:** These are resources outside the individual that provide support. * **Social Factors:** The influence of social interactions and relationships on stress management. * **Social Support:** A network of family and friends who offer emotional, practical, or informational assistance. Strong social support is a crucial buffer against stress. ### Biomedical vs. Biopsychosocial Models of Health * **Biomedical Model:** This model views health and illness solely in terms of biological factors. * **Reductionist Approach:** It simplifies complex health issues to their biological components. * **Health as Absence of Illness:** Health is defined as the absence of disease; treatment focuses on returning to a pre-illness state. This model often overlooks the psychological and social factors that contribute to both illness and well-being. * **Strengths:** High construct validity (measures what it intends to), high generalizability. It has led to advancements in medical treatments and preventative measures. * **Limitations:** Ignores psychological and social factors, doesn't account for the continuum of health. * **Biopsychosocial Model:** This model considers the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in health and illness. * **Health as a Continuum:** Health is viewed as a spectrum, ranging from optimal well-being to severe illness. This model acknowledges that even seemingly healthy individuals can experience varying levels of well-being. * **Strengths:** High construct validity, high generalizability, holistic approach, promotes health enhancement and prevention. * **Limitations:** Can be complex to apply in practice. ### Defining Addiction * **International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11):** Classifies addiction into two groups: substance-related and behavioral. * **Substance-related addictions:** Involve the use of substances like drugs, alcohol, and caffeine. * **Behavioral addictions:** Currently, only gambling and video gaming are formally recognized. Other behaviors, like compulsive shopping or mobile phone use, are increasingly being considered as potential addictions. ### Physiological and Behavioral Addiction * **Physiological Addiction:** Involves physical dependence on a substance, characterized by withdrawal symptoms upon cessation and tolerance. Opioid addiction is a classic example of physiological addiction, with severe withdrawal symptoms including intense pain, nausea, and vomiting. * **Behavioral Addiction:** Involves compulsive engagement in a behavior despite negative consequences. Gambling addiction can lead to significant financial problems and relationship strain. * **Griffiths' Six Components of Addiction:** This model, compatible with the biopsychosocial model, includes: 1. Salience (physical and psychological dependence) 2. Tolerance 3. Withdrawal 4. Relapse 5. Conflict (interpersonal and intrapersonal) 6. Mood alteration ### Psychological Approaches to Health #### Biological Influence * **Assumptions:** Behavior is influenced by the central nervous system, genes, and neurochemistry; behavior is a product of evolution. * **Genetic Predisposition:** An increased likelihood of developing a disease based on genetic makeup. It's important to remember that genetic predisposition doesn't guarantee the development of a disease; environmental and lifestyle factors also play a significant role. * **Neurotransmitter Imbalances:** Imbalances in neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) can lead to physical and psychological problems. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression, while imbalances in dopamine are linked to schizophrenia. * **Evaluation:** * **Strengths:** Provides support for the effectiveness of treatments targeting neurotransmitter imbalances; explains ill health more effectively; has practical uses in correcting imbalances and promoting healthy lifestyles. * **Weaknesses:** Provides an incomplete explanation of health and illness; genetic predisposition is indirect, not a direct cause of behavior. #### Behaviourist Approach * **Assumptions:** Behavior is a learned response to environmental stimuli; behavior can be learned through observation and imitation. * **Role of Reinforcement:** * **Positive Reinforcement:** Rewarding a behavior to increase its likelihood. * **Negative Reinforcement:** Avoiding an unpleasant consequence to increase the likelihood of a behavior. * **Role of Cues:** Stimuli associated with a behavior that trigger its occurrence. The sight of a cigarette might trigger a craving in a smoker. * **Example using Operant Conditioning:** Positive reinforcement (praise for eating fruit), negative reinforcement (avoiding illness by eating healthy), punishment (less effective). #### Cognitive Approach * **Assumptions:** Behavior is a product of information processing; the brain can be compared to a computer. * **Health-Related Decisions:** Influenced by factors like stress relief, habit, and attempts to mitigate health problems. * **Cognitive Dissonance:** The discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs or engaging in behaviors inconsistent with one's values. Resolving cognitive dissonance often involves changing either the behavior or the belief. * **Professional Biases:** Healthcare professionals' decisions can be influenced by their own biases, potentially leading to inaccurate diagnoses or treatment options. * **Practical Uses:** Identifying and changing unhealthy behaviors and mindsets; addressing cognitive dissonance to promote behavior change. #### Social Approach * **Assumptions:** Behavior occurs in a social context; wider culture and society influence behavior. * **Effects of Peer Role Models:** Peers significantly influence behavior, both healthy and unhealthy. * **Role Models in Health Education:** Peers, healthcare professionals, and celebrities can serve as effective role models. * **Practical Uses:** Modeling healthy behaviors to encourage their adoption. * **Weaknesses:** Some role models may not demonstrate healthy behaviors, lacking credibility. ### Theories of Health Behavior Change #### Health Belief Model (HBM) * **Key Concepts:** Explains why people don't engage in healthy behaviors; links behaviors to beliefs about health. * **Components:** 1. **Perceived Seriousness:** The perceived severity of the consequences of a disease or illness. 2. **Perceived Susceptibility:** The perceived likelihood of getting the disease or illness. 3. **Cost-Benefit Analysis:** Weighing the benefits of taking action against the perceived barriers. 4. **Modifying Factors:** Demographic variables, cues to action, and self-efficacy. * **Evaluation:** * **Strengths:** Practical use in designing health interventions; credibility due to its development by health researchers. * **Weaknesses:** Assumes people always make rational decisions; ignores emotional factors. #### Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) * **Key Concepts:** Explains how intentions influence behavior; links intentions to change behavior with actual changes. * **Components:** 1. **Personal Attitudes:** Beliefs about the behavior. 2. **Subjective Norms:** Beliefs about what others think of the behavior. 3. **Perceived Behavioral Control:** Belief in one's ability to control the behavior. #### Self-Efficacy Theory * **Key Concepts:** Focuses on the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations. * **Sources of Self-Efficacy Information:** 1. **Mastery Experiences:** Successful past experiences. 2. **Vicarious Reinforcement:** Observing others succeed. 3. **Social Persuasion:** Encouragement from others. 4. **Emotional State:** Current emotional state. #### Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change) * **Stages:** 1. **Precontemplation:** No intention to change. 2. **Contemplation:** Considering change. 3. **Preparation:** Ready to take action. 4. **Action:** Actively changing behavior. 5. **Maintenance:** Maintaining change. 6. **Termination:** No temptation to relapse. * **Evaluation:** * **Strengths:** Views behavior change as a dynamic process; emphasizes the importance of time; positive view of relapse. * **Weaknesses:** Limited support for distinct stages; some stages can be difficult to separate.