1.
Health Behaviour
Health behaviour encompasses all actions individuals take that
influence their health, either positively or negatively. These
behaviours include lifestyle choices such as diet, physical activity,
smoking, alcohol use, sleep patterns, and adherence to medical
advice. Positive health behaviours, like regular exercise and healthy
eating, contribute to disease prevention, improved well-being, and
increased longevity. Conversely, risky behaviours such as smoking,
excessive alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyle raise risks
for chronic diseases. Health behaviours are influenced by
psychological factors, social environment, cultural norms, and
individual motivations. Understanding these behaviours helps
develop interventions to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce
health disparities.
2. Definitions of Health and Health Psychology
Health is broadly defined by the World Health Organization as a
state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health psychology
studies how psychological, behavioral, and social factors influence
health, illness, and healthcare. It focuses on the mind-body
relationship, exploring how emotions, cognition, and behaviour
impact health outcomes and recovery processes. Health
psychologists apply this knowledge to promote health, prevent
illness, and improve healthcare delivery.
3. Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of how diseases and health conditions
are distributed in populations and the factors that influence this
distribution. It involves analyzing patterns of illness by time, place,
and person to identify risk factors and causes. The goal is to control,
prevent, and manage diseases through evidence-based public
health interventions. Epidemiology integrates data collection,
statistical analysis, and field investigations.
4. Approaches to Health Psychology
Health psychology uses various approaches: Clinical health
psychology focuses on individual behaviour change and coping with
illness; Public health psychology targets community-wide health
promotion and disease prevention; Community health psychology
examines social determinants of health and collective
interventions; Critical health psychology critiques health
inequalities and promotes social justice through systemic change.
5. Developmental Theories
Developmental theories describe how people grow and change
over their lives. Key theories include Erikson’s psychosocial stages
emphasizing social and emotional development; Piaget’s cognitive
stages describing intellectual growth; Freud’s psychosexual stages
focusing on early childhood; Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory
highlighting interaction; and Bandura’s social learning theory based
on observation and imitation. These models explain how biological,
psychological, and social factors shape development from infancy
through adulthood.
6. Models of Successful Ageing and Variables
Successful ageing models like Rowe and Kahn’s highlight avoiding
disease, maintaining physical and cognitive function, and active
engagement with life. Variables influencing successful ageing
include demographics (age, gender), socioeconomic status, social
support, physical activity, mental health, and adaptability.
Psychological well-being and life satisfaction are crucial for ageing
well.
7. Goals of Health Psychology
The primary goals include understanding how behavior affects
health, preventing illness, promoting wellness, improving
healthcare outcomes, and facilitating patient coping strategies.
Health psychology integrates psychological principles to encourage
healthy lifestyles, enhance adherence to treatment, reduce health
disparities, and foster overall well-being.
