CLASS 33
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.
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.
HISTORY Psycho-somatic effects Behavioral medicine Health Psychology
STRESS - HEALTH CYCLE
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)
STRESS
Stress and health outcomes Acute stress Chronic stress Physical problems Psychological problems
Sequence leading to physical problems Stressful event Cognitive appraisal (interpretation ) Physical activation (eg endocrine system) Health problems
Mechanism CARDIO-VASCULAR DISEASE
Sequence leading to psychological problems Stressful event Cognitive appraisal (interpretation ) Adjustment disorder (mild) PTSD (serious)
Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome PTSD PTSD
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
Research Methods
Problems Ethics of experiments Design problems Physical intervention Financial inducement Design problems e.g., social support studies Correlation vs. causation
New methods Cold studies Induce a cold Examine effects of stress, social support, etc
“Hickey” studies Induce a welt Examine care giver stress
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Type A personality Self-induced stress Work-a-holic, Impatient Therefore, curable Work-a-holic, Impatient Actually two of the Big Five (agreeableness; neuroticism)
Neuroticism Vulnerability to stress biological psychological (rumination) Situational : neurotics get themselves into trouble
Disagreeableness Grouchiness damages immune system Self-induced conflict: fights cause stress
Conscientiousness Health Better self-care Better medical care Adds 7.5 years to lifespan Better self-care Better medical care more contact careful compliance
Controllable factors: SUMMARY OF PREVENTION Controllable factors: AVOIDANCE Reduce needless stress Positive health behaviors (sleep, nutrition, relaxation) MANAGEMENT Coping strategies: Stress/emotions Social support