01 / 21

Introduction to
Health Psychology

Explore how psychological factors influence health, illness, and health-related behaviors: from stress responses to coping strategies and the biopsychosocial model.

AP Psychology

What Is Health Psychology?

Health psychology is a subfield of psychology that examines how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness. It goes beyond simply treating disease to understand why people get sick, how they respond to illness, and what promotes wellness and recovery.

Why Health Psychology Matters

Leading Causes
Heart disease, cancer, and stroke are strongly linked to behavioral factors like diet, smoking, and stress.
Prevention
Understanding psychology helps design interventions that change unhealthy behaviors before disease develops.
Quality of Life
Health psychologists help patients cope with chronic illness, manage pain, and improve adherence to treatment.

Key Terms to Know

1
Stress: A physiological and psychological response to perceived threats or demands that exceed one's coping resources.
2
Coping: Cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage, reduce, or tolerate stressful situations.
3
Health behaviors: Actions taken by individuals that affect health: exercise, diet, sleep, substance use.
4
Psychoneuroimmunology: The study of how psychological processes affect the nervous and immune systems.

The Biopsychosocial Model

Health Outcome Biological Genetics, physiology Psychological Thoughts, emotions Social Culture, support

Biomedical vs. Biopsychosocial

Biomedical Model Biopsychosocial Model
Focus Physical/biological causes only Bio + psych + social causes
Mind-Body Treated as separate (dualism) Treated as interconnected
Treatment Medication, surgery Holistic: therapy + meds + support
Prevention Limited emphasis Strong emphasis on behavior change
Patient role Passive recipient Active participant

Stress and the Body

When you perceive a threat, your body activates the fight-or-flight response. This cascade involves the sympathetic nervous system (releasing adrenaline) and the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), which releases cortisol.

Stressor Hypothalamus Appraisal + activation Sympathetic NS Adrenaline release HPA Axis Cortisol release
Heart rate \(\uparrow\) | Pupils dilate
Blood to muscles \(\uparrow\)
 Immune suppression Energy mobilization

Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome

Resistance
Time \( \to \)
Normal Alarm Resistance Exhaustion Fight-or-flight Body adapts Resources depleted

Types of Stress

Eustress
Positive stress that motivates and enhances performance: starting a new job, competing in sports, or preparing for a test.
Distress
Negative stress that overwhelms coping ability: financial hardship, grief, chronic illness, or toxic relationships.
Acute Stress
Short-term reaction to an immediate threat or challenge. Resolves quickly once the stressor passes.
Chronic Stress
Long-term stress from ongoing situations: poverty, abusive relationships, or demanding work. Most harmful to health.

Coping Strategies

Problem-Focused Emotion-Focused
Goal Change the stressor itself Manage emotional response
Example Studying more for a test Deep breathing before a test
Best when Situation is controllable Situation is uncontrollable
Risk Burnout if overused Avoidance if overused

How to Apply the Model

1
Identify the health issue. What specific condition or behavior are you analyzing?
2
List biological factors: genetics, neurochemistry, immune function, physical conditions.
3
List psychological factors: stress, beliefs, personality, coping style, self-efficacy.
4
List social factors: socioeconomic status, cultural norms, social support, access to healthcare.
5
Explain interactions. How do these factors influence each other and the outcome?

Example: Heart Disease

A 55-year-old man is diagnosed with coronary heart disease. Using the biopsychosocial model, a health psychologist would consider:

Biological
Family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, age.
Psychological
Type A personality (hostility), chronic work stress, low self-efficacy for exercise.
Social
Isolated socially, high-stress job, limited access to healthy food options.

Example: Smoking Cessation

A college student wants to quit smoking. A health psychologist uses the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change) to assess readiness:

Pre- contemplation Contem- plation Prepa- ration Action Main- tenance "I don't need to change" "Maybe I should quit" "I'm planning to quit soon" "I quit last month" "6+ months smoke-free" Relapse

Psychoneuroimmunology in Action

Research shows that chronic stress weakens the immune system. A classic study by Kiecolt-Glaser found that medical students had lower immune function during exam periods compared to less stressful times.

Brain Perceives stress Hormones
Cortisol \(\uparrow\)
Immune
Suppressed \(\downarrow\)
Health Consequences Increased vulnerability to colds, infections, slower wound healing

Common Mistakes

✕ Confusing Models
Describing the biomedical model when the question asks about the biopsychosocial model. Always check for psychological and social factors.
✕ Stress = Bad
Assuming all stress is harmful. Eustress is positive and motivating. The AP exam may test this distinction.
✕ GAS Stages Wrong
Mixing up the order of Selye's stages. Remember: A-R-E (Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion) in that sequence.

Summary of Key Concepts

Concept Definition Key Figure
Biopsychosocial Model Health = bio + psych + social George Engel
General Adaptation Syndrome Alarm \( \to \) Resistance \( \to \) Exhaustion Hans Selye
Coping Strategies Problem-focused vs. emotion-focused Lazarus & Folkman
Stages of Change 5 stages of behavior change readiness Prochaska & DiClemente
Psychoneuroimmunology Psych \( \to \) nervous \( \to \) immune interactions Kiecolt-Glaser (research)

Question 1 of 5

Which model views health as resulting from the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors?

Question 2 of 5

In Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, what is the correct order of stages?

Question 3 of 5

A student facing a difficult exam decides to create a study schedule and visit a tutor. This is an example of which coping strategy?

Question 4 of 5

The field of psychoneuroimmunology studies the relationship between:

Question 5 of 5

Which of the following best illustrates eustress?