An Introduction to Health Psychology - Softcover

Morrison, Dr Val; Bennett, Dr Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0130994081 ISBN 13: 9780130994080

Publisher: Prentice Hall, 2005

Synopsis

An Introduction to Health Psychology presents theory through an appreciation of how society and culture impact in practice. It focuses on three broad themes:

• Health, health behaviour and staying healthy
• Becoming ill and using healthcare
• Being ill and the impact on the individual and their families.

The book covers all mainstream health psychology topics and also provides coverage of crucial contemporary issues such as cross-cultural dimensions of health and illness. Chapters are structured logically and explanation delivered with real clarity.

This is the book that will engage and teach students in an entirely new way. 

About this title

Review:

“...this is one of the best Health Psychology texts I have read in a while”

Anne Whyte, Liverpool John Moores University

 

“Health psychology examines the determinants of health, illness and sick-role behaviours, in an attempt to inform interventions designed to modify such behaviours where required. The Morrison book provides information on all the aspects of health psychology, whereas information about applying knowledge to intervention design is lacking from the [competitor] book.”

 

[On relating health psychology to real life]

“I think the Morrison book is better on this aspect – the main reason why I prefer the Morrison book... Morrison includes a chapter on health inequalities and chapters on putting health psychology into practice. These topics are not covered in much detail in the [competitor] book.”

Martin Dempster, Queens University Belfast.

 

 

“I particularly like the inclusion of chapters dealing with health inequalities and population approaches to public health as specific areas of relevance to Health Psychologists. These areas are frequently subsumed within other topics in Health Psychology texts and, therefore, sometimes do not receive the attention they deserve.”

 

“The text is one of the best I have read in terms of placing theory clearly within society and highlighting the role of culture in health. I fully expect it to encourage students to put research into practice, either on a personal level (by providing detailed information on changing individual health behaviours), or on a professional level by encouraging students to study Health Psychology at Masters level.”

 

“I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, particularly because it has been written from a UK perspective while maintaining and international examination of the research literature. The continuity of themes across chapters and sections will lead students through what can be very complex conceptual models thereby enhancing their learning experience. The use of definitions, diagrams and some very amusing illustrations provides additional depth to the text. The content and tone of the book is ideal for undergraduate students and would provide a great introduction to the topic for those considering studying Health Psychology at postgraduate level. When published I will certainly be recommending it to my students.”

Anne Whyte, Liverpool John Moores University

 

 

“In its consideration of the social context and its coverage of practical issues facing  health psychologists, I think this book clearly has the edge over competing UK texts”

 

“This book is also highly topical and provides a good theoretical basis as well as excellent consideration of practical applied issues.”

Fiona Jones, University of Leeds

From the Back Cover:

An Introduction to Health Psychology is a new and stimulating European textbook providing a valuable and engaging introduction to the field of health psychology. 

Health psychology is a challenging subject that is, increasingly, a core area of psychology teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

 

An Introduction to Health Psychology is structured around three broad themes:

·   Health, health behaviour and staying healthy.

·   Becoming ill and using healthcare.

·   Being ill and the impact on individuals and their families.

This book covers all mainstream health psychology topics, including health behaviours such as smoking, exercise, unsafe sexual practices, stress and its effects, symptom perception and response, the impact of illness, pain, and quality of life.

Unlike many contemporary health psychology texts it also provides clear and considered coverage of crucial topics such as:

·   Social inequalities in health.

·   Cross-cultural dimensions of health and illness.

·   Biological systems.

·   Lifespan influences on health and illness.

·   The impact of illness on family carers.

The authors believe it important that health psychology teaching is theory-led rather than behaviour or illness-led. Each topic area starts by describing and reviewing relevant theory and concepts, progresses by means of an impressive review of up-to-date research studies, and closes with a chapter describing intervention practice. In this way readers can chart a topic, such as stress, from its definition and description, through a review of associated health outcomes, to current stress management practice. Describing, predicting, and then intervening are primary goals of health psychologists.

User-friendly features include:

• In the Spotlight boxes that discuss ‘hot’ topics, such as the MMR immunisation debate.

• What do YOU think? boxes that encourage readers to reflect on their own beliefs, behaviours and experiences.

• Key terms that are highlighted in the text and defined both at the margin and in a full Glossary.

The breadth and depth of content addressed in An Introduction to Health Psychology makes this textbook a major contributor to the study of health psychology for psychology and health profession students throughout Europe. The reference list and glossary alone provide an excellent resource for students and lecturers. 

 

 

Val Morrison is a lecturer in health psychology, and a chartered health psychologist, based at the University of Wales, Bangor. She has taught health psychology since 1992, whilst maintaining an active research programme in psychosocial predictors of patient and carer outcomes of chronic disease.

Paul Bennett is Professor of Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Wales, Swansea and head of Swansea NHS Trust Psychology Services. He has published several books on health and clinical psychology as well as over 100 academic papers and chapters.

 

About this edition

• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0130994081
• ISBN 13: 9780130994080
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 648