Health Psychology and Stress

Question 1

DEFINE HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY:

Answer 1

Health psychology is the specialisation of psychology concerned with psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill, and how they cope and recover from illness.

Question 2

Social-cognitive theories -
Social Learning Theory (SLT) / Social Cognitive Theory (SCT):

Answer 2

Learning through observation, modelling, and reinforcement.
Key Components: Observational learning, modelling, self-efficacy, reciprocal determinism.

Question 3

Social-cognitive theories -
Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB):

Answer 3

Intentions are the immediate determinants of behavior.
Key Components: Attitude toward behaviour, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, behavioural intention.

Question 4

Social-cognitive theories -Transtheoretical Model (TTM) / Stages of Change Model:

Answer 4

Behaviour change occurs through distinct stages.
Key Components: Stages of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, termination), processes of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance.

Question 5

Describe the barriers to health promotion and preventative health:

Question 6

Describe the major sources of stress - CATASTROPHIC EVENTS:

Answer 6

Sudden, unexpected, potentially life threatening experiences or traumas such as physical or sexual assault, military combat, natural disasters, terrorist attacks and accidents.

Question 7

Describe the major sources of stress -
LIFE CHANGES AND STRAINS:

Answer 7

Including divorce, illness in the family, difficulties at work and other circumstances that create demands to which people must adjust.

Question 8

Describe the major sources of stress -
CHRONIC PROBLEMS:

Answer 8

Those that continue over a long period of time, including circumstances such as living in a high-crime neighbourhood, or under threat of terrorism, having a serious illness, being unable to earn a decent living, victim of discrimination, enduring years of academic pressure.

Question 9

Describe the major sources of stress -
DAILY HASSLES:

Answer 9

Irritations, pressures and annoyances that may not be significant stressors by themselves but whose cumulative effects can be significant.

Question 10

Discuss the nature of the relationship between stress and health:

Answer 10

1. Access and Affordability: Limited access to healthcare services, preventive measures, and healthy resources due to financial constraints, lack of healthcare facilities, and geographical barriers.
2. Knowledge and Awareness: Insufficient understanding of the importance of preventative health measures, coupled with low health literacy, leading to a lack of awareness about available resources and services.
3. Socioeconomic and Cultural Factors: Socioeconomic disparities, cultural beliefs, and language barriers hinder individuals from prioritising and engaging in preventative health behaviours, leading to unequal access and utilisation of healthcare services.

Question 11

Describe the major strategies for coping with stress - Problem-focused coping:

Answer 11

1. Confronting - Standing one’s ground and fighting for what one wants/needs.
2. Seeking social support - Talking with someone to find out more and unpack stressor.
3. Planned problem solving - Making a plan of action to solve the stressor and following it

Question 12

Describe the major strategies for coping with stress -
Emotion-focussed Coping:

Answer 12

1. Self-Controlling - Keeping emotions to oneself.
2. Distancing - Ignoring the issue, trying not to think of it.
3. Positive Appraisal- Changing how one views the situation.
4. Accepting responsibility -
   Taking ownership when the issue was brought on by self.
5. Escaping/Avoiding-
   Wishing the issue or situation would go away and be over with.