Foundations of Health Psychology

Howard S. Friedman · Roxane Cohen Silver

08/2006 · Oxford University Press

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Health psychology is the scientific study of psychological processes related to health and health care. Although the field is only 25 years old, it has burgeoned into a major scientific and clinical discipline. Health psychology has excellent scientific journals, thousands of scientists and practitioners, and many students. Yet, there has not been a sufficient statement or explication of the foundational concepts upon which this flourishing field is built. Foundations of Health Psychology brings together top experts to provide a much-needed conceptual base for this rapidly expanding field. Rather than take a medical model approach, the volume examines health psychology from a theoretical, conceptual, and psychological perspective. After presenting an overview of the field's history and methods, the contributors address core concepts of the biopsychosocial approach to health and then discuss applications to health promotion and illness prevention and treatment. Providing a deep understanding of the intellectual foundations of health psychology, this volume will be invaluable for both new and experienced researchers, as well as students and other scholars seeking a firm basis for successful research and practice.

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Howard S. Friedman is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). His research is focused on lifespan psychosocial predictors and mediators of health and longevity. Dr. Friedman is the recipient of the career award for "Outstanding Contributions to Health Psychology" from the American Psychological Association (Division 38) and winner of UCR's Distinguished Teaching Award. Roxane Cohen Silver is Professor of Psychology and Social Behavior and Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She studies how individuals cope with stressful life experiences, such as loss of a spouse or child, divorce, childhood sexual abuse, physical disability, natural disaster, and terrorism. Dr. Silver has been an advisor to the US Department of Homeland Security and has received UCI's Distinguished Faculty Lectureship Award for Teaching.