Chapter 11 | Health and Well-Being Flashcards
Health psychology
A field that involves the application of psychological principles to promote health and well-being.
Used to understand the interrelations among thoughts, actions, and physical/mental health. Studies how behavior and social systems affect health and how social and cultural differences influence health outcomes. Also studies the inverse of these relationships: how health-related behaviors and health outcomes affect people’s behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.
Well-being
A positive state that includes striving for optimal health and life satisfaction.
Biopsychosocial model
An approach to psychological science that integrates biological factors, psychological processes, and social-contextual influences in shaping human mental life and behavior.
Psychological factors
Thoughts/actions, lifestyles, stress, health beliefs
Social conditions
Environments, cultural influences, family relationships, social support
Biological characteristics
Genetic predispositions, exposure to microbes, brain and other nervous system development
What are the three primary factors that interact and contribute to health and well-being according to the model used in health in psychology?
Psychological factors, social conditions, and biological characteristics
Health disparities
Differences in health outcomes, such as illness or death rates, between groups of people.
Factors include - age, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, and homelessness.
Immigrant paradox
The pattern among immigrant communities in which foreign-born immigrants to the U.S. have better health than people in later generations do.
Socioeconomic health gradient
People with lower economic status have worse health than people with higher economic status
How does racism and racial bias in the American Health Care System contribute to health disparities between White and Black Americans?
Black people may receive less attention from medical providers, receive fewer tests and treatments, and have less access to care, and mistrust medical systems due to past injustices.
Health behaviors
Actions people can takes, such as eating a plant-based diet and being physically active, that promote well-being, prevent the onset of disease, and slow disease progression
Healthy diet
A healthy diet is natural, rich in plants, and light on animal proteins. The so-called Mediterranean diet is characterized by vegetables, legumes, fish, and olive oil. Eating a healthy diet Is one of the most effective ways to promote wellness and prevent illness.
Metabolic syndrome
A medical condition associated with obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
Maladaptive eating
Persistent problems in eating behavior, including those resulting in obesity, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa.
4 Factors that contribute to overeating
- sheer variety of high-calorie foods
- large portions now served in many restaurants
- individual responses to food cues
- Lower socioeconomic status
The traditional Mediterranean diet consists of moderate intake of vegetables, fruits and nuts, unprocessed grains, and fish, and a low intake of dairy, meat, and poultry. According to research, why is this diet associated with longevity (long life)?
The Mediterranean diet comfort to the basic rules of a healthy diet: eat moderate quantities of natural, mostly plant-based foods
Why is smoking the leading cause of death?
Smoking and tobacco are blamed for 480,000 deaths per year in the US and decrease a smoker’s life by +12yrs. It causes numerous health problems including heart disease, respiratory ailments, and various cancers. Major reason for it is SOCIAL INFLUENCE.
Why is physical activity so beneficial for our health?
The more people exercise, the better their physical and mental health. Once people are out of shape, it’s difficult for them to start exercising regularly. Exercise can enhance almost every aspect of our lives, including our memory and cognition - through aerobic exercise (increased breathing and heart rate) promotes the growth of neurons, and results in a larger brain and the most concentrated brain growth is the hippocampus. It also lowers blood pressure and strengthens the heart and lungs. It’s good for treating depression and alcoholism/addiction.
What is the maximum age limit and minimum frequency or duration of physical exercise to gain benefits?
There are no age, frequency, or duration limits to the benefit of exercise. Even brief, infrequent exercise at any age has some psychological and physiological benefit.
Why are people afraid of flying but not of driving (or smoking)?
In terms of thinking about health and well-being, people often fear the wrong things. People are willing to take drastic steps to avoid unlikely negative events, but they do not take simple steps to avoid life’s most common dangers. - Optimism bias
Availability heuristic bias
Basing the estimated probability of an event on the ease with which relevant instances come to mind
Optimism bias
People believe that, compared with other people, they are more likely to experience positive events and less likely to experience negative events in the future
How can vivid media reports affect people’s views of health risks and their attempts to reduce those risks?
News reports of dramatic tragedies create strong memories. Using the availability heuristic, people overestimate the risk of these events and attempt to avoid them.
Stress
Response that typically involves an unpleasant state, such as anxiety or tension
Stressor
Something in the external situation that is perceived as threatening or demanding and therefore produces stress
Coping response
Any attempt made to avoid, escape from, or minimize a stressor
Eustress
Positive stress.
Example - when you are admitted into the college you really wanted to attend or when you are preparing for a party you are really looking forward to
Distress
Negative stress.
Example - when you are late for an important meeting and become trapped in traffic or when you are helping a loved one deal with a serious illness
3 categories of stressors
- Major life stressors
- Chronic stress
- Daily Hassles
2 types of stress
- Eustress
- Distress
Both put strains on the body.
Major life stressors
Changes/disruptions that strain central areas of people’s lives. Include choices made by individuals, not just things that happen to them. Learn ways to cope with stress