Health, illness and disease

Question 1

WHO definition of Health (1948)

Answer 1

A complete state of physical,mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.

Question 2

Lay theories of health and illness

Answer 2

1. “A general sense of well-being” - FEELING
2. “The absence of symptoms of disease” - SYMPTOM ORIENTATION
3. “The things that a person who is physically fit s able to do” - PERFORMANCE

Question 3

Lay theory of ‘Feeling’

Answer 3

A general sense of well-being

Question 4

Lay theory of ‘Symptom Orientation’

Answer 4

The absence of symptoms of disease

Question 5

Lay theory of ‘Performance’

Answer 5

The things that a person who is physically fit is able to do

Question 6

Social representations of health (Blaxter, 1990)

Answer 6

1. Health as not ill - no symptoms
2. Health as reserve - come from strong family
3. Health as behaviour - we usually apply this to others
4. Health as physical fitness and vitality - used by youth
5. Health as psycho social well-being -mental well-being
6. Health as function - ability to perform one’s duties

Question 7

Health professions organised around a medical model…

Answer 7

Diagnose acute and chronic medical conditions but do not address clinical conditions that may have multiple behavioural, social and environmental causes.

Question 8

Psychosomatic Medicine

Answer 8

Freud (1856-1939),
Cannon (1932),
Dunbar (1930) and
Alexander (1940s-1950s)

Question 9

Freud (1856-1939)

Answer 9

unconscious conflict can lead to physical disturbances

Question 10

Cannon (1932)

Answer 10

Emotions can lead to physiological changes which can lead to disease.

Question 11

Dunbar (1930) & Alexander (1940s-50s)

Answer 11

Psychological conflicts can lead to anxiety, which can lead to ANS response which can lead to physiological disorder.

Question 12

Biopsychosocial lifespan model

Answer 12

How Biological, Psychological and Social factors influence health and wellness.

Question 13

Psychological component of ‘Cognition’

Answer 13

• thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes
• health risk appraisal
• self-efficacy

Question 14

Cognition - Azben & Fishbein (1980)

Answer 14

Theory of reasoned action predicts several health behaviours :

• smoking cessation
• Intention to undergo mammography
• willingness to be a organ donor

Question 15

Psychological component of ‘Behaviour’

Answer 15

Adoption and maintenance of health behaviours

Question 16

Behaviour - B.F. Skinner “Operant Conditioning”

Answer 16

Behaviours that are reinforcing are more likely to be repeated

Question 17

Behaviour - Albert Bandura “Social Learning Theory”

Answer 17

• Emphasised modelling

- Cognitive processes

Question 18

Psychological component of ‘Emotion’

Answer 18

• Emotional regulation, mood, affect
• Emotional appraisal
• Emotional disclosure