1. CLASS 33

2. HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Imagine that I release a large quantity of cold virus into the ventilation system of the room, enough to guarantee that everyone in this room is exposed to the virus.
Not everyone will develop symptoms – why not?
Discuss each of these briefly, in terms of the their effects on the immune system in handling infections.

3. THEMES Physical health influenced by psychological health IF SO:
Suggests possible prevention rather than fixing the problem afterward
STRATEGIES:
Avoid causes or manage emotions
Imagine that I release a large quantity of cold virus into the ventilation system of the room, enough to guarantee that everyone in this room is exposed to the virus.
Not everyone will develop symptoms – why not?
Discuss each of these briefly, in terms of the their effects on the immune system in handling infections.

4. HISTORY
Psycho-somatic effects
Behavioral medicine
Health Psychology

5. STRESS - HEALTH CYCLE

6. Why do people get sick? BIOMEDICAL MODEL Exposure to pathogens
Immune response is insufficient
Introduce the biomedical model as an extension of the biomedical definition of health given earlier.
Modern medicine has looked to two explanations for disease: exposure to infectious agents, i.e. tuberculosis, and changes in physical systems, such as the changes to blood vessels that increase risk for heart disease.
Move into thought experiment…..(next slide)

7. STRESS

8. Stress and health outcomes
Acute stress
Chronic stress
Physical problems
Psychological problems

9. Sequence leading to physical problems
Stressful event
Cognitive appraisal (interpretation )
Physical activation (eg endocrine system)
Health problems

10. Mechanism
CARDIO-VASCULAR
DISEASE

11. Sequence leading to psychological problems
Stressful event
Cognitive appraisal (interpretation )
Adjustment disorder (mild)
PTSD (serious)

12. Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome PTSD PTSD

13. Coping can help psychological outcome war, rape, work in E.R.
REAPPRAISAL
Reframing of event to provide a more adaptive meaning
STRESS REDUCTION
Relaxation
Social support

14. Research Methods

15. Problems Ethics of experiments Design problems Physical intervention
Financial inducement
Design problems
e.g., social support studies
Correlation vs. causation

16. New methods Cold studies
Induce a cold
Examine effects of stress, social support, etc

17. “Hickey” studies
Induce a welt
Examine care giver stress

18. INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

19. Type A personality Self-induced stress Work-a-holic, Impatient
Therefore, curable
Work-a-holic, Impatient
Actually two of the Big Five
(agreeableness; neuroticism)

20. Neuroticism Vulnerability to stress
biological
psychological (rumination)
Situational : neurotics get themselves into trouble

21. Disagreeableness Grouchiness damages immune system
Self-induced conflict: fights cause stress

22. Conscientiousness Health Better self-care Better medical care
Adds 7.5 years to lifespan
Better self-care
Better medical care
more contact
careful compliance

23. Controllable factors:
SUMMARY OF PREVENTION
Controllable factors:
AVOIDANCE
Reduce needless stress
Positive health behaviors (sleep, nutrition, relaxation)
MANAGEMENT
Coping strategies: Stress/emotions
Social support