This paper provides an introductory overview of health psychology, examining its origins in clinical psychology and its development into a distinct discipline with four major divisions: critical, clinical, community, and public health. The paper explores how health psychologists address psychological, cultural, environmental, and biological factors that influence physical health. It discusses the importance of context in understanding what keeps populations healthy, the role of economic and environmental variables, and the critical relationship between doctors and patients. The paper also considers career pathways for health psychology graduates and the field's broader contributions to public health promotion and disease prevention.
Health psychology examines the many factors involved in preventing threats to physical health. Most commonly, psychological, cultural, environmental, and biological issues are all addressed by those who study the field (Marks, Murray, Evans, & Estacio, 2011). In clinical settings, health psychologists work alongside other members of the medical profession, conduct research, teach at colleges and universities, and show people how they can change their behavior in order to live healthier lives (Michie & Abraham, 2004). Promoting public health is a very important part of health psychology and can include anti-smoking campaigns, weight loss information, and discussions of the benefits of exercise.
The field of health psychology began as part of clinical psychology but has since branched off and become a discipline in its own right. Within the field, there are four distinct 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 embraced health psychology and have helped many professionals in the field advance their careers so that they are better able to help others (Ogden, 2007). By identifying ways in which certain behaviors and activities either promote or prevent disease, health psychologists can influence healthcare and make it more effective (Marks, Murray, Evans, & Estacio, 2011). Studying health psychology can also enable a person to live a healthier lifestyle overall and to pass on knowledge of health-related matters to others who also wish to feel well and remain healthy.
Many factors affect the health of people all over the world, so context must 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, upbringing, and many other variables come into play for 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 adopt a healthy lifestyle or adhere 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 the improvement of the relationship between doctors and their patients (Ogden, 2007). A large number of patients do not understand medical terminology very well, and many doctors fail to recognize how they must convey information to patients in order to foster a better understanding of health issues. By helping to ensure that doctors communicate with patients in ways those patients can understand, fewer problems will develop in the course of a patient's care. People must understand why they are asked to take a medication, undergo a test, or change their lifestyle before they will agree to a change — and before they will maintain that change when necessary. Improving patients' adherence to their doctors' advice can go a long way toward helping those patients heal and remain well (Ogden, 2007).
In both the UK and the U.S., many universities offer degree programs in health psychology. Anyone who wants to study in this field would be wise to speak with professors and student liaisons at several different institutions in order to determine which program best fits their goals. Once graduated, a person with a health psychology degree can work in many different fields and help promote healthy living in a wide variety of ways. Both public and private organizations have a need for people who can demonstrate to others why a healthy lifestyle is important. Each organization may differ in its approach, but their goals remain the same: help ill people become healthy, and help those who are already healthy stay that way. Professional organizations such as the Division of Health Psychology of the British Psychological Society offer resources and career support for practitioners working toward these aims.
Cohen, L. M., McChargue, D. E., & Collins, F. L., Jr. (Eds.). (2003). The health psychology handbook: Practical issues for the behavioral medicine specialist. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
"Improving communication to boost treatment compliance"
"Degree pathways and professional roles available"
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