Overview of health psychology

Health psychology looks at several factors and how they are involved in preventing threats to physical health. Most commonly, psychological, cultural, environmental, and biological issues are all addressed by those who study health psychology (Marks, Murray, Evans, & Estacio, 2011). In clinical settings, health psychologists work with others in the medical profession, conduct research, teach at colleges and universities, and work on showing people how they can change their behavior in order to live a healthier life (Michie & Abraham, 2004). Promoting public health is a very important part of health psychology and can entail anti-smoking campaigns, weight loss information, and discussions on the benefits of exercise.

The field of health psychology began as part of clinical psychology, but has since branched off and become a field in its own right. Within the field, there are four different divisions -- critical health, clinical health, community health, and public health. There is also an allied field of occupational health psychology (Michie & Abraham, 2004). Organizations in the U.S., UK, and other countries have come to embrace health psychology and have helped many people in the field further their careers so that they are better able to help other people (Ogden, 2007). By finding ways in which certain behaviors and activities either promote or prevent disease, health psychologists can influence health care and make it more effective (Marks, Murray, Evans, & Estacio, 2011). Studying health psychology can also allow a person to live a healthier lifestyle overall, and to pass on his or her knowledge of health-related matters to others who also wish to feel well and remain healthy.

There are many factors that affect the health of people all over the world, so context has to be considered when a health psychologist is studying what is or is not working to keep a particular group of people healthy (Cohen, McChargue, & Collins, 2003). Economic issues, environment, how a person was raised, and many other things come into play for each and every person who is either (a) sick and in need of care, or (b) healthy and wanting to stay that way (Ogden, 2007). While it is not possible to force someone to begin a healthy lifestyle or stick to a treatment regimen, examining the reasons behind why a person thinks and feels a certain way can help determine how best to treat someone who is ill or who wants to remain well but is on a path toward sickness (Marks, Murray, Evans, & Estacio, 2011).

One of the main issues addressed by health psychology is an improvement of the relationship between doctors and their patients (Ogden, 2007). A large number of patients do not understand medical terms very well, and a large number of doctors fail to realize how they must convey information to patients in order to foster a better understanding of health issues. By helping to ensure that doctors talk to patients in ways those patients can understand, fewer problems will develop in the care of a patient. People must understand why they are asked to take a medication, have a test, or change their lifestyle before they will agree to the change (and maintain that change when necessary). Improving patients' adherence to their doctors' advice can go a long way toward helping those patients heal and/or remain well (Ogden, 2007).