The Specifics of By Charles Gilpin

What is Health Psychology?  Definition: A field of psychology that contributes to both behavioral medicine and behavioral health; the scientific study of behaviors that relate to health enhancement, disease prevention, and rehabilitation.  Emphasis Enhancement of health and prevention of disease rather than diagnosis and treatment.

Biomedical vs. Biopsychosocial Models  Biomedical Model Exposure to pathogens (disease-causing organism).  Biopsychosocial Model Biological, psychological, and social influences. Two basic advantages. ○ Incorporates biological, psychological and social factors. ○ Views health as a positive condition.

Psychologists First, Health Specialist second.  Health psychologists course work: Ph.D. or Psy.D ○ Core graduate psychological course work. ○ Specialized graduate courses: Biostatistics Epidemiology Physiology Biochemistry Cardiology

Where do I start?  Undergraduate Psychology Courses: Epidemiology ○ Study of factors contributing to increased health or occurrence of disease in a given population. Behavior Change Health Psychology  Undergraduate Non-Psychology Courses: Biomedical science Chemistry

Areas of Interest  Stress and Disease Sources of stress: ○ Family, workplace, community, ect. Side effects of increased stress. ○ Decreased immune system functioning Psychoneuroimmunology ○ A multidisciplinary field that focuses on the interactions among behavior; the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system.

Areas of Interest (cont.)  Pain Acute, Chronic, and Prechronic. Biofeedback ○ Electromyograph (EMG) Ex. Low back pain and headaches. The experience of pain and Coping. ○ Personal control and hardiness Relaxation training Cognitive Therapy

Areas of Interest (cont.)  Smoking, Alcohol, and Drug Cessation. Intervention for reducing consumption. Education on hazards of consumption. Drug misuse and abuse. ○ Effective treatment methods. Effects of quitting. ○ Identifying positive heath benefits. ○ Coping with negative symptoms.

Areas of Interest (cont.)  Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity and Other Chronic Illnesses. Medication Adherence. ○ Programs to help patients take their meds properly. Changing risky behavior. ○ i.e. smoking, drinking, diet, sedentary lifestyle ect. Coping with risk factors beyond personal control. Impact on patients and families. Coping with the affects of treatment.

Health Psychologists Today  Job Market Popularity within the field of psychology. Rise in chronic diseases. ○ Obesity, type-2 diabetes, cancer, ect.  Average Pay Middle 50%: $45,300 – $77,750 High: $102,730; Low: $35,280 - Bureau of Labor Statistics

For More Information…  MSU faculty Ann D. Branstetter Ph.D.  APA  Psychology Advisement Office Information regarding schools with a health psychology emphasis. Information on which courses you should take to get started pursuing a career in the health psychology field.