Health Psychology (The Basics) by Erica Cook (Author), Lynne Wood (Author)

"Health Psychology (The Basics)" authored by Erica Cook and Lynne Wood provides a foundational understanding of the interdisciplinary field of health psychology. This accessible text introduces readers to key concepts, theories, and research findings in health psychology, offering insights into how psychological factors influence health behaviors, illness prevention, and healthcare outcomes.

Key Points:

1. Introduction to Health Psychology: The book begins by defining health psychology and exploring its scope, emphasizing its interdisciplinary nature and its focus on understanding the psychological factors that influence health and illness.

2. Biopsychosocial Model: Cook and Wood discuss the biopsychosocial model, which considers the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in shaping health and well-being, highlighting the importance of taking a holistic approach to health.

3. Health Behaviors: The text examines health behaviors such as exercise, diet, smoking, and adherence to medical regimens, exploring the psychological factors that influence these behaviors and discussing strategies for promoting health-enhancing behaviors.

4. Stress and Coping: Cook and Wood delve into the relationship between stress and health, discussing the physiological and psychological effects of stress on the body and exploring coping strategies for managing stress and promoting resilience.

5. Chronic Illness and Health Psychology: The authors explore the role of health psychology in understanding and managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, highlighting the psychological factors that impact disease management, treatment adherence, and quality of life.

6. Healthcare Settings: The book examines the role of health psychologists in healthcare settings, discussing their contributions to patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention, as well as their collaboration with healthcare professionals in interdisciplinary teams.

7. Future Directions: Cook and Wood conclude by discussing future directions in health psychology, including emerging research areas, innovative interventions, and the integration of technology into healthcare delivery, offering insights into the evolving landscape of health psychology practice and research.

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Writer                 ✤    Erica Cook (Author), Lynne Wood (Author)