11- Week 11 - Health psychology

Question 1

Define health psychology

Answer 1

The application of psychology to the promotion of physical health and the prevention and treatment of illness

Question 2

Explain how the body responds to stress

Answer 2

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) -
Alarm (short duration, fight/flight)
Resistance (continued exposure)
Exhaustion (prolonged exposure)

Psychological strain (cognitive impairment)
Behavioural strain (poor self care, substance use)

Question 3

Describe the psychological tendencies that contribute to resilience

Answer 3

“Hardy” individuals generally exhibit commitment (a sense of purpose), challenge (open to new exp.) and control (over future)

Self-efficacy - a belief they are capable of behaviour required to produce certain outcome

Dispositional optimism - stable tendency to expect good outcomes across life domains (suffer less stress and recover better)

Question 4

Identify coping strategies for stress

Answer 4

Problem focused coping (overcoming the problem)
Emotion focused coping (focusing on personal emotional reactions)
Proactive coping (efforts to ward off stress)
Opening up and self focus
Social support, hope, choice

Question 5

Identify factors affecting the pursuit of happiness and wellbeing

Answer 5

Social relationships
Employment status
Physical and mental health
Financial comfortability