PBH 352 Health Psychology

Students in this course will explore the role of psychological factors in physical health. Among the topics to be discussed are stress and coping, motivation for healthy behaviors, personality and health, substance abuse, obesity, pain, psychological factors in interactions with the health care system, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and alternative medicine. Throughout the course, a biopsychosocial approach to health will be emphasized, as will the application of psychological factors in health to daily life and the presentation of health information in the media. This course will require the use of Blackboard, where students will actively participate in online discussions and assignments. (3 credits)FALL 2010An examination of the applications of psychological research and theories to health. Topics covered include: stress and coping, motivations for health protective or health compromising behaviors, pain, psychoneuroimmunology, the relationship between health care professionals and patients, coping with chronic illness and death, as well as issues involved in specific diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, AIDS and diabetes). Throughout the course, a biopsychosocial model of health will be emphasized. Prerequisite: successful completion of PSY 110 or PSY 111 with a C or better. Offered as needed.(3 credits)

Credits

3