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Psychobiological Processes in Health and Illness
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Psychobiological Processes in Health and Illness



January 2011 | 256 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Psychobiological Processes in Health and Illness is an accessible and engaging introduction to the interrelationships between mind and body across a broad range of topics including infectious illness, autoimmunity, cancer and pain. Taking a biopsychosocial approach, it brings together research from a number of disciplines including health psychology, psychoneuroimmunology and behavioral genetics.

Students are encouraged to consider how advances in psychobiological research can help us to uncover the true complexity of links between psychological, biological and social processes with respect to implications for health and how such advances can inform the development of interventions and treatment approaches. The textbook presents established theoretical models relevant to psychobiological processes in health and illness, as well as recent developments in systems, technologies and intervention methods. Key terms are defined throughout in order to provide a truly accessible introduction to this fascinating field.

This book is an essential resource for undergraduate and graduate students in health psychology, nursing, applied medicine and related disciplines.


 
The Mind-Body Connection
 
Changing Conceptualisations of Mind and Body
 
Emerging Disciplines
 
Summary
 
Key Terms
 
Discussion Questions
 
Further Reading
 
The Link between Stress and Illness
 
The History of the Stress Concept
 
Cognitive Models
 
Biological Models
 
Summary
 
Key Terms
 
Discussion Questions
 
Further Reading
 
Positive Processes in Health and Illness
 
From Stress to Emotion
 
Emotion, Coping and Health
 
Well-Being
 
Summary and Conclusions
 
Key Terms
 
Discussion Questions
 
Further Reading
 
A Healthy Disposition
 
Introduction
 
How Do Genes Influence Health?
 
Genetic Advances and Identifying Disease Genes
 
Predictive Genetic Testing
 
Summary
 
Key Terms
 
Discussion Questions
 
Further Reading
 
Pain
 
What Is Pain?
 
Theories of Pain
 
Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Pain
 
Summary
 
Key Terms
 
Discussion Questions
 
Further Reading
 
At-Risk Populations
 
Introduction
 
Socio-Economic Status and Health
 
People with Psychiatric Illness
 
Older People
 
Long-Term Caregivers
 
Summary and Conclusions
 
Key Terms
 
Discussion Questions
 
Further Reading
 
Psychobiological Interventions
 
Introduction
 
Coping-Based Approaches
 
Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies
 
Summary
 
Key Terms
 
Discussion Questions
 
Further Reading
 
Methodological Issues in Psychobiological Research
 
Introduction
 
How Can We Determine Whether or not Psychological Factors Influence Health?
 
Designing and Evaluating Health Interventions
 
Summary
 
Key Terms
 
Discussion Questions
 
Further Reading
 
Summary and Future Directions
 
What Have We Learned so Far?
 
What Questions Have We Yet to Adequately Address?
 
Technological Advances
 
Summary and Conclusions
 
Key Terms
 
Discussion Questions
 
Further Reading
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

A fantastic contribution to health psychology. My PhD students and medical students are instructed to read it (not often I recommend books these days). It feels like the field has been waiting for this for a long time
Dr Lis Cordingley
Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Manchester


An engaging and well written health psychology textbook with a strong psychobiological focus
Dr Daryl O'Connor
University of Leeds



This is an excellent resource for learners studying the 'Abnormal Psychology' module on our Access to Health Professions programme; clear and interesting perspectives on the interrelationship between mind and body. I have also recommended this to the library.

Ms Elaine Burston
Education, Epping Forest College
October 30, 2019

The understanding of close link between psychological and biological factors is essential to the management of interventions that promote health and wellbeing.

Dr Teresa C. D'Oliveira
Psychology , King's College London
September 10, 2016

Its a great resource to the Society and Medicine course taught to medical students in Zambia.

Ms Njinga Kankinza
School of medicine, Copperbelt University
February 8, 2015

The discussion in the book is both engaging and practical as it covers the relationship between the psychological and biological factors of health and illness, allowing for a better understanding of the complexity of health and illness.

Miss Frances Jackson
Public Services, Peterborough Regional College
June 5, 2014

This is a very thorough textbook which covers the psychobiological aspects of Health Psychology very well. I will be recommending this text to my students (in addition to other texts for the non-biological components of the module).

Dr Michael Smith
Psychology, Northumbria University
April 10, 2013

excellent, well written at a level which the students could understand.

Ms Emma Parker
Access To Health, Birmingham Metropolitan College
December 6, 2012

welll written, very informative and essential for nursing students and professionals

Mrs Laureen Hemming
Dept of Nursing & Midwifery, Hertfordshire University
November 28, 2012

This book has been included into the reading list of our undergraduate OT and PT programmes.

Dr Lesley Collier
School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences, Southampton University
August 29, 2012

This is a clearly written text that adds depth and breadth to existing core and recommended materials for the level

Ms Colleen Maclean
Perth College, UHI Millennium Institute
June 20, 2012

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1: The Mind-Body Connection


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