Health Psychology: An Interdisciplinary Approach offers a critical examination of the biopsychosocial model of health and proposes the use of the ecological model as a more comprehensive explanation of health outcomes; both of which are unique approaches in a health psychology text.
The ecological model explores the impact of five systems on individual health outcomes: the individual (including physiology), the family/community, physical and social environments, healthcare systems and health policy. Unlike the biopsychological model which represents a combination of three fields–biology, psychology and sociology - the ecological model includes research and findings from medical anthropology, economics, ethnopharmacology, environmental studies, medicine and public health, in addition to biology, psychology and sociology. Thus, it offers a truly interdisciplinary approach to the study of health.
Finally, the text uniquely examines infectious diseases and chronic illnesses from a local, regional and global perspective. The diverse perspectives illustrate the roles of each of the five systems on health.
CHAPTER 1: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY VIEW OF HEALTH
CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODS
CHAPTER 3: GLOBAL COMMUNICABLE AND CHRONIC DISEASE
CHAPTER 4: THEORIES AND MODELS OF HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE
CHAPTER 5: RISKY HEALTH BEHAVIORS
CHAPTER 6: EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
CHAPTER 7: STRESS AND COPING
CHAPTER 8: HIV AND AIDS
CHAPTER 9: CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
CHAPTER 10: CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT AND ARTHRITIS
CHAPTER 11: CANCER
CHAPTER 12: HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AND HEALTH POLICY: EFFECTS ON HEALTH OUTCOMES
CHAPTER 13: HEALTH PSYCHOLOGISTS’ ROLE: RESEARCH, APPLICATION AND ADVOCACY
This is a new first edition. Please see "Features" to learn more about this text.
Opening Story- Each chapter begins with an opening story that poses a scenario or problem for consideration. The opening stories highlight a central concept in the chapter and draws readers into the main topic of the chapter. Stories summarize current events that pertain to or impact health and allow the reader to apply the concepts in the chapter to real life situations.
Personal Postscript-Each chapter ends with a Personal Postscript, a section that encourages students to reflect on the main concepts of the chapter and to apply them to actual or likely life events. Personal postscripts are designed especially for a college-aged audience. They propose situations and offer advice or solutions to situations commonly encountered by college students that pertain to health. Finally, the postscripts bring the chapters “full circle,” allowing students to reflect again on the applied aspects of the health issues presented in the chapter.
Boxes- Special boxes explore selected material in depth without disrupting the flow of the text. It is ideal for students and instructors who seek more in-depth information on a topic introduced in the text. At the same time, the information in boxes can be omitted by readers who are less interested in the detailed topic.
Health Policy- A chapter dedicated to the role of health systems and health policy identify career opportunities in health policy. Students are presented with various ways in which health psychologists can provide research and direct service to health policy institutions that affect the health of individuals, communities, regions and countries.
Assessment Instruments- A sample of actual survey and health instruments used in medicine and health to measure mental, emotional and physical health are included. The instruments provide students interested in health research with real examples of valid instruments that can serve as templates for their own research. Students interested in applied work in health psychology will find the instruments a good resource for future use.
Important Terms- Important Terms are concepts and procedures common in health and health related fields. Terms are highlighted and defined in text and itemized at the end of each chapter to remind students of the important concepts to remember in each chapter.
Deborah Fish Ragin is a Professor of Psychology at Montclair State University, as well as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NYC where she is also involved in research.
Ragin is a reviewer for the international journal Social Science and Medicine, and the Journal for Interpersonal Violence, and is on the Editorial Board for the American Journal of Nursing.