Health and Psychology

Health and Psychology

By: Melissa S. Harris

University of Phoenix (Axia)

Psychology can be linked directly too most health problems. A leading contemporary model in health psychology, the multifactorial model, recognizes that there is no single factor that causes illness (Nevid, 2005). Some factors include: biology, sociocultural, behavioral, personality, stressors and the environment (Nevid, 2005). In addition, everyone is unique, including his or her abilities to cope with and manage stress. When stress becomes chronic, it can negatively affect our overall health. There are many common health problems associated with stress, including: depression, obesity, chronic pain, heart disease, abnormal sleep patterns, and autoimmune diseases (Nevid, 2005). In addition, the likelihood of contracting disease reflects the interaction of these factors (Nevid, 2005).

The multifactorial model holds that a wide range of factors determine our health and susceptibility to illness (Nevid, 2005). Biological factors include: family history of illness, exposure to organisms, medication history, congenital disabilities, age, gender and ethnicity (Nevid, 2005). Sociocultural factors include: status, family circumstance, and access to health care, prejudice, cultural, and religious beliefs (Nevid, 2005). Behavioral factors include: diet, consumption of alcohol or drugs, smoking, level of activity, sleep patterns, safety practices, regular health checkups and interpersonal skills (Nevid, 2005). Personality factors include: seeking or avoiding information about health risks, self- efficacy expectations, psychological hardiness, psychological conflict, optimism or pessimism, attributional style, health control, depression/anxiety, hostility/ suspiciousness (Nevid, 2005). Stressors include: daily hassles, major life changes, frustration, pain/ discomfort, social support/ rejection, and work climate (Nevid, 2005).

Stress is a normal physical response to events that...