SUBJECT

Introduction to Health Psychology

lecture

Faculty of Education and Psychology

Psychology BA

Autumn/spring semester

Aim of the course:
The global aim of the course is to provide students with basic but broad knowledge, skills and a
perspective from health psychology.

Learning outcome, competences:
You will acquire knowledge about:

• Various topics within the field of health psychology (see overview below).
• The diverse approaches from health psychology.
• The complexity of health and diseases including different approaches to health, well being and flourishing.
• Links between health psychology and other health sciences.

Attitude:

• Students will acquire a perspective from health-psychology, taking into account the complex interplay between one's physical well being and a variety of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Skills:

• Students will discover how psychological methods and principles can be applied to increase health and well being, and to help patients manage and cope with chronic illness.
• The foundation will be provided that prepares students for advanced training in health psychology.

Content of the course
Topics of the course:

• Social determinants of health and health inequalities.
• Health-risk and health-protective behaviours.
• Reducing risk of disease.
• Stress, and its relation to health and illness.
• Stress and illness moderators.
• Approaches to managing stress.
• Symptom perception, interpretation and response.
• Consultation.
• Illness and quality of life.
• Improving health and quality of life.

Compulsory reading list
Morrison, V. and Bennett, P. (2012). Introduction to Health Psychology (3rd Ed.). Essex:
Pearson Education Limited.