Health Psychology Lecture 1
Research
Because health behaviors and health outcomes represent the result of interacting biological, psychological, and social processes, researchers should incorporate such variables in their research
Case Study
Biological -Type 2 diabetes -Hypertension -Sex - female Social -Strong support system- friends, family, church -Volunteerism Psychological -Social -Positive outlook -Good support system- less depressed, outlook -Occasionally tired- may affect psychology
What are the Effects of stress on brain? What parts are affected?
Lab rats subjected to chronic stress chronic stress changes brain circuitry cells of stressed rats were significantly smaller - affected the hippocampus and memory chronic stress- change brain circuits- lose the capacity to remember things as we need to severe acute stress- difficult to remember things in short spaces of time (stress and studying for exams- forget things next morning)
Components of the health belief model: perceived benefits to change
Perceived benefits refer to an individual's assessment of the value in engaging in a health-promoting behavior/behavior may reduce risk -Ava believes that using contraception will reduce her risk of unintended pregnancy
Effect of Stress and position in social hierarchy and the location of weight gain
Whitehall study Distribution of weight- area of cente/abdomenr-indicates position if hierarchy Subordinate monkeys more likely to have fat around the abdomen than dominant Fat around abdomen more dangerous than fat anywhere else
Components of the health belief model: Cues to action
cue is necessary for prompting engagement in health-promoting behaviors cues can be internal or external example-symptoms, education, media etc. Example-Ava receives education about contraception and the different options available to
Components of the health belief model: Modifying variables
modifying variables such as age, sex, SES, ethnicity etc. affect health-related behaviours indirectly by affecting perceived seriousness, susceptibility, benefits, and barriers
Suls & Rothman, 2004 What are the 5 areas of growth for the biopsychosocial model (1)
1.for the biopsychosocial perspective to be fully embraced, it needs to be transformed into a model that specifies the linkages/synthesis between biological, social and psychological factors. Such a perspective leads to the recognition that multiple systems contribute to the etiology and progression of disease
What are the 5 areas of growth for the biopsychosocial model (2)
2. Include relevant constructs such as sex, culture, ethnicity etc. help determine whether sociodemographic factors, such as race or ethnicity, will matter for particular health outcomes. efforts of health psychologists would be more productive and more efficient if they were grounded in theory-based predictions as to when and why an intervention will operate differently when directed toward a specific social group (e.g., Latinos) or in a specific setting (e.g., churches)
What are some antidotes to stress
Antidote to stress Finding a place where we have control Conditions in which people live and work are vital for their health -Amount of control related to occupation hierarchy -More control -Treated more fairly -More justice -More rewards for efforts
What is clinical health psychology
Based on the patient and therapist The therapists usually focuses on the cognitive health state of the patient and how this influences -health behaviours -e.g., weight, smoking, adherence to health care recommendations and impacts the illness/disability- e.g.response to, and recovery from illness
Explain/describe the theory of planned behavior
Behavior based on Behavioral beliefs and atitude toward the behavior Normative beliefs -beliefs about others exceptions of you/how others view you Leads to social pressure/subjective norm-social pressure to perform or not to perform the behavior Control beliefs-factors that facilitate/prevent whether you perform a behavior Leads to perceived behavior control - perceived ease or difficulty of performing a behavior, All the above lead to intention or whether you perform the actual behavior
Example of the effects of high sugar diet on a cellular level
Behavior/cognition >mechanisms > health outcomes Example- high sugar intake results in changes in the brain -fewer synaptic connectivity, reduce BDNF levels, more fatigue, negative mood, immune response (t-cells) -> leading to depression,obesity etc. if one is unable to control behavioral habits
Who was considered the father of modern psychiatry
Benjamin Rush
What kind of health psychology interventions are there? (2)
Biofeedback approaches for treating symptoms associated with conditions such as headaches, rheumatic disease, low back pain, and other painful conditions electrodes attached to your skin-provide info about breathing rate, blood pressure, skin temperature etc. A biofeedback therapist helps you practice relaxation exercises, which you fine-tune to control different body functions. For example, you might use a relaxation technique to turn down the brainwaves that activate when you have a headache.
What are the 4 Models and Theories in Health Psychology
Biopsychosocial Model Health Belief Model Social Cognitive Theory Theory of Planned Behaviour
Compare and contrast the biomedical model and the biopsychosocial model
Biopsychosocial model - biology, social and psychological factors in diagnosis, treatment etc Biomedical model- attributes disease to mainly biological factors/focuses on the cellular level
Provide an example of the Biopsychosocial Model
Biospychosocial model for obesity Considers biological factors -Is the obesity hereditary -Are there genetic influences Psychological factors -Is the individual depressed?- may contribute to over-eating -Stressed? -Low self esteem etc. Social factors -Lower SES- limited access to health care, unhealthy food less expensive than healthy alternative, -Less knowledgeable about the importance of healthy eating habits
What kind of health psychology interventions are there?
CBT- focused on changing cognition,thoughts and beliefs in order to change behavior and emotions-example having a positive outlook Exercise- example with obesity Social support- positive interactions with peers and family Biofeedback
What were the perspectives of René Descartes on health psychology?
Cartesian dualism: mind and the body are distinct/separate entities/substances Body is physical factor/substance- and we can only diagnose illness based on physical substance Mind is a thinking sate that can exist outside of the body
What are the 3 subspecialties of health psychology
Clinical health psychology Clinical health psychology Community health psychology
The Science Behind Food Video
Companies try to increase profit by increasing the amount of food we eat Holy trinity of the food industry: salt, sugar, fat Food industry uses science to determine the perfect combination of salt, sugar, fat that increase our consumption of a particular food item shape of food important- chocolate should not have sharp edges, want persons to have a favourable/pleasant experience when eating chocolate
Explain how Stress may impact us long before we are aware Are there lingering effects- body respond to famine in similar ways to other stressors?
Dutch Hunger Winter/Dutch famine Are there lingering effects- body respond to famine in similar ways to other stressors? Research- Were the fetuses of pregnant women during the Dutch Hunger Winter impacted Many of the dutch hunger winter children have increased risk of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, -more responsive to stress, poorer health overall than those born before famine or after Stress hormones from mother travelled to fetal blood
Suls & Rothman, 2004 What are the 5 areas of growth for the biopsychosocial model (3)
Focusing on discovery rather than explanation or hypothesis testing-not let need for precision or explanation impede growth of potentially important outcomes Serendipitous intervention outcome, may be a worthy object of study.
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers?
For animals such as zebras, stress is generally episodic (e.g., running away from a lion), while for humans, stress is often chronic e.g., worrying about losing your job, simply the thought may trigger the stress resposnse. Therefore, many wild animals are less susceptible than humans to chronic stress-related disorders such as ulcers,
What are some of the effects of stress on cells/genes and telomeres? How can this be repaired
Genetic structures called telomeres- as we age our telomeres shorten Stress via stress hormones can accelerate the shortening of telomeres Telomerase can repair the damage to telomeres- positive social interaction, support groups etc. have shown to activate and increase telomerase and regeneration of cells
Describe an study which shows how life experiences and behaviors impact our cells, our immune system, and even gene expression
Herbert Benson- relaxation/meditation technique used to counteract flight/fight response Showed meditation had a positive effect on gene expression Participants -patients who had just undergone surgery 1 group received meditation, the other was not exposed to meditation Looked at gene expression before meditation and after- looked at genes related to the immune system Results: significant increase in genes related to good health/immune system turned on/upregulated
Describe Social Cognitive Theory as it relates to health psychology
Human behavior or changing human behavior Is determined by the interplay of personal factors (lifestyle, behavior,age,gender )and environmental factors. However, behavior also affects personal and environmental factors Believed that personality, environmental, social factors etc. should be considered in treatment and diagnosis
Psychological Interventions make a difference Explain the study by Schlesinger et al. (1983) that supports the positive impact of Psychological Interventions
Impact of mental health therapy on overall health measured by medical charges Subjects: Patients with a chronic disease such as heart diseases, diabetes etc. I group received mental health treatment 2nd group did not receive any mental health treatment Results- In the group receiving mental health treatment there was a 40% reduction in the annual medical cost- no longer needed to purchase/stay on medication therefore mental health treatment was effective in facilitating recovery
Initially, what was thought to be the cause of peptic ulcers
Initially believed stress caused peptic ulcers However, research revealed that ulcers were caused by bacteria (H.pylori) and not stress
Components of the health belief model: Likelihood of action
Likelihood of action depends on : perceived benefits vs. barriers perceived threat/susceptibility/seriousness of disease/illness
Describe the Link Between stress, pleasure-dopamine and social hierarchy.
Link Between stress, pleasure and social hierarchy -Dopamine released bind to receptors signaling pleasure -Using a PET scan, the brain of dominant monkeys activate with lots of dopamine receptors (increased reward and feeling of pleasure) -Subordinate monkeys have less dopamine receptor binding(less pleasure in life)
Study demonstrating the effects of stress on cells/genes
Looked at cohort of chronically stressed mothers (mother's with children with disabilities) Findings: the length of the telomeres directly relates to amount of stress persons are under, and the length of the he/she has been under stress Mothers of young children with special needs can be stressful and overwhelming- usually have shorter telomeres and shorter life expectancy Telomerase can repair the damage to telomeres- positive social interaction, support groups etc. have shown to activate and increase telomerase and regeneration of cells
What was the method used in Sapolsky's research to determine the level of stress hormones in monkeys
Measured stress hormones after baboons were anesthetized using a blow gun Blow gun used because it is silent will not alert baboons Important that baboons did not know they were going to be anesthetized because anticipatory stress from chasing the would result in changes in stress hormone levels (confound)
Components of the health belief model: perceived barriers to change
Perceived barriers- individual's assessment of the obstacles/barriers to behavior change example- expense, danger (e.g., side effects of a medical procedure),lack of access to affordable healthcare Example- Contraceptives may be expensive for Ava
Policy and Funding
Policymakers should recognize that health psychology is an evolving enterprise, and more attention must be devoted to professional development -Exposure to the most recent advances in medical science, technology, and health care
How does hierarchy impact one's health
Position on hierarchy determines level of stress and life expectancy Lower hierarchy higher risk of heart disease and other disease -subordinate individuals reported more sick days
What was Sigmund Freud's theory/approach to psychology
Psychodynamic theory-behavior and the mental issues that we suffer are • based on unresolved conflicts, and childhood experiences Thought that paralysis and blindness caused by psychological issues
Authors recommend improving the link among biological, psychological and social variables can be done by taking initiatives in
Research Training Policy and Funding Practice
What are some examples of Health Psychological issues
Social rejection- individual is deliberately excluded from a social relationship or social interaction Example- isolated from peers at school because of clothing, shoes etc. Social status -Higher SES associated with better psychological well being Loneliness and social isolation -Do you have a social support system
What is the impact of stress on one's arteries?
Study:Macaques Monkeys Stress and Arteries Form hierarchical groups- subjecting each other to social stress Stress results in a cardiovascular response- increased blood pressure, etc. Arteries of dominant monkey-little stress- clean arteries Subordinate artery- more atherosclerosis in arteries, damaged artery walls allow plaque to deposit, restricting blood flow, leading to heart attacks
What is the importance of health psychology
Subspecialty of psychology and descriptor within field of behavioural medicine Developing effective health communication, clinical interventions, and disease prevention programs Addressing social justice issues that can affect mental health state
What is the link between levels of stress hormones and social hierarchy Tested with Baboons
Tested with Baboons Baboons rank determine level of stress hormones-adrenaline(epinephrine)/glucocorticoids Dominate males have low stress hormones Submissive males have much higher stress hormones Low rankers had increased heart rates and higher blood stress (stress linked to deteriorating health)
Practice
Too often, the findings and implications of basic research do not make their way to clinical practice and intervention. routes should be found to distribute research findings to practitioners. Equally important is to find ways to communicate the success and failures of practitioner-led initiatives to researchers. Example-involve clinicians in the research enterprise, increase communication between researchers and practitioners via the internet
Training
Training in Health Psychology, course work in substantive areas, research design, and data analysis are important components of doctoral training in health psychology
Suls & Rothman, 2004 What are the 5 areas of growth for the biopsychosocial model (5)
Translation from research to practice and policy and vice versa-Often important research findings with implications for practice remain in the literature and are not implemented.
What is psychoanalysis
Treatment method made famous by Freud Believed that people could be cured by making conscious their unconscious thoughts and motivations, thus gaining insight. am of psychoanalysis therapy is to release repressed emotions and experiences, i.e. make the unconscious conscious.
How is health psychology defined?
Understanding how biological, psychological and environmental factors are involved in the treatment and the prevention of illness (looking at all aspects when diagnosing and treating an individual) Deals with the scientific study of behaviors and cognitive processes related to health states
Why can't we stop at one chip? Define Vanishing caloric density
When foods such as Cheetos melt in your mouth, they fool the brain into thinking the calories have disappeared and individual is more likely to keep eating before brain sends signal that you've had enough
How is stress related to the formation of peptic ulcers?
When stressed body shuts down unessential systems there the immune system is shut down allowing more stomach bacteria invasion Stress can cause ulcers by disrupting body's ability to repair itself
What is Occupational health psychology-
area of psychology that is concerned with the health and safety of workers. Example-the impact of occupational stressors on physical and mental health, prevention and management of occupational/work stress
Components of the health belief model: Perceived susceptibility/seriousness
assessment of the severity/susceptibility of a health problem and its potential consequences individuals who perceive a given health problem as serious are more likely to engage in behaviors to prevent the health problem from occurring (or reduce its severity) Example-Example, Ava believes she is at risk of becoming pregnant
What is the biomedical model of health?
attributes disease to mainly biological factors, such as viruses, genes, or somatic abnormalities/focuses on the cellular level
Johann Heinroth Define Psychosomatic illness
behavioral/physical illness that is caused or aggravated by a mental/psychological factor such as as internal conflict or stress
Who was George Engel? What model did he propose ?
best known for his formulation of the biopsychosocial model
What is community health psychology
concerned with working with communities to combat disease and to promote health via community wide health needs, health care system etc. also considers culture, whether certain ethnic groups are more susceptible to certain illnesses
What is the Biopsychosocial model of health?
disease outcome based on the interaction of biological factors (genetic, biochemical, etc), psychological factors (mood, personality, behavior, etc.), and social factors (cultural, familial, socioeconomic, medical, etc.)
What is the Biopsychosocial Model?
disease outcome/diagnosis based on the interaction of biological factors (genetic, biochemical, physical health etc), psychological factors (self-esteem, personality, coping skills, etc.), and social factors (cultural, familial, socioeconomic,peers etc.)
Health Psychology- A Brief History What were the perspectives of Hippocrates on health psychology?
holistic view on health : mind and body part of the same system Good health takes into account the physical and mental/emotional states
What is the Health Belief Model
psychological model that attempts to explain and predict health behaviors by focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of individual
What is Sensory specific satiety
refers to a decrease in satisfaction after the consumption of a certain type of food, and the consequent renewal in appetite resulting from the exposure to a new flavor or food
Suls & Rothman, 2004 What are the 5 areas of growth for the biopsychosocial model (4)
rich data sets are required that assesses the organism at all relevant levels -researchers, practitioners, and policymakers should be more receptive to physiological, self-report, and sociological data
What are some of the physiological and biological effects of stress
shrink brains, weight gain, unravel chromosomes, shut down unessential systems such as the immune system
