Introduction
Health psychology is the interdisciplinary science that draws connections between psychological, behavioral, environmental, and sociocultural factors and physical health, illness, and disease. Health psychologists figure out the psychological and behavioral processes that contribute to overall health, while promoting strategies and interventions to improve physical health and well-being. They analyze how various components of health, including lifestyle, social and economic factors, population-level interventions, policy, and cultural influences relate to health and wellness.
What Health Psychologists Do
Health psychologists study both individual health behaviors and public health interventions, such as developing strategies to promote healthy eating or encouraging people to use preventive and lifestyle changes for the prevention and management of chronic illness. They also investigate and evaluate the efficacy of health promotions and public health policies and initiatives. Health psychologists may also work with healthcare providers, nurses, and social workers to design and implement programs to address psychological concerns related to health and illness, such as stress management or smoking cessation.
Issues of Focus
Health psychologists often specialize in one or more areas of health psychology, such as obesity, chronic illness, addictions, health behavior change, stress and coping, social and cultural influences, or mental health. Typically, health psychologists combine evidence-based interventions with psychological principles, such as behavioral and cognitive theories, to develop effective interventions that promote healthy behavior change.
Intervention Strategies and Behavioral Technologies
Health psychologists use a variety of evidence-based interventions to assist patients in changing unhealthy behaviors, managing medical conditions, or coping with illness and disease. These interventions may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention. In addition, health psychologists use a variety of behavioral technologies, such as biometric devices and mobile applications, to facilitate behavior change in patients.
Application of Psychological Research
Health psychologists often apply the results of psychological research to address issues related to health, illness, and disease. For example, research conducted by health psychologists can be used to inform public health policy related to vaccination, health promotion, screening, and access to care. In addition, health psychologists use research results to develop interventions for individual patients, such as coaching them through behavior change or providing psychotherapy.
Career Options
Health psychologists can pursue a variety of career paths, including roles in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, community clinics, or long-term care facilities; research positions in universities and research organizations; and positions in public health or consulting. Additionally, they can pursue careers in academia as teachers or researchers.
Conclusion
Health psychology is an interdisciplinary science that combines psychological, behavioral, environmental, and sociocultural factors to understand and improve physical health, illness, and disease. Health psychologists use evidence-based interventions as well as behavioral technologies to promote healthy behavior change, and apply the results of psychological research to address issues related to health, illness, and disease. Health psychologists can pursue a variety of career paths, including roles in healthcare settings, research organizations, public health, or academia.
