Description:

This course covers content, methods and theory regarding the interplay between psychological and biological determinants of health and illness and examines how these factors relate to health status. The course focus is on the application of psychological methods, principles of maintenance of health, prevention of disease, treatment of illness, and rehabilitation and recovery from impaired health. It follows an interdisciplinary approach to content and instruction. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Study the historical context of the field of health psychology and the psychological and medical contexts in which it fits.
2. Describe concepts of health and illness as they relate to recognizing causes and symptoms of illness (cultural forces).
3. Review and learn to apply basic measurement procedures of health and illness.
4. Name the special contributions that psychologists make to the study of health and illness.
5. Define health and be able to specify differences between a healthy and unhealthy person.
6. Name measurement techniques to differentiate between well and healthy people.
7. Identify the forces in the individual, the group and the larger social system that may affect health/illness.
8. Be knowledgeable regarding the interdisciplinary nature of health psychology.
9. Name the major causes of illness such as 1) S-R reactions, 2) cognitive mediation processes, 3) stimuli outside the person which may be controllable (i.e., noise, environmental pollution, etc.), or habitual behavior.
10. Compare and contrast different ways of thinking about health and illness, (e.g., formalistic cause/effect, mechanistic and contextual thinking).
11. Describe the history and current status of the mind-body debate.
12. Describe human anatomical and physiological aspects of the human body necessary to understand the biological effects of stressors on the body.
13. Differentiate and identify various levels of the nervous system and their relationship to health/illness.
14. Describe the history and demographic characteristics of illness in the U.S.
15. Conceptualize descriptive statistical methods used to describe data and understand inferential statistics as they apply to studies done in the field.
16. Describe health care, identify care providers in the U.S., and compare them with other countries.
17. Describe systems developed to pay for health care.
18. Define stress.
19. Describe the interactive forces involved between stress and illness.
20. Describe coping methods used to combat stress.
21. Evaluate various stress measures.
22. Name the goals of consumer health education.
23. Describe health education programs in place.
24. Describe the workplace as a source of stress, and explain how stressors play a part at work.
25. Describe the evolution of health care in the workplace and the reasons for change.
26. Name the life-style risk factors and explain why each procedure is a health hazard.
27. Describe the positive life-style factors, explain why they are recommended and for what they are recommended.
28. Name the negative health effects of cigarette smoking.
29. Demonstrate an understanding of the statistical data that supports a link between cigarette smoking and related illnesses.
30. Name and compare various psychological techniques for understanding and controlling smoking behavior.
31. Contrast sickness and disease. Describe the psychological effects of illness.
32. Describe the interrelationships among health-oriented behaviors (Will a person who visits a physician frequently be the same person who fastens his seat belt, etc.).
33. Describe the health care system and psychological techniques that could be used to improve it.
34. Name the sources of stress brought about by the health care system.
35. Compare and contrast the various hypothesized causes of psychosomatic illnesses.
36. Describe the placebo effect and its effect upon health care.
37. Describe treatment programs available for reducing stress.
38. Describe the health care problems associated with chronic pain.
39. Name and compare the various kinds of pain.
40. Describe and contrast the various theories that explain pain.
41. Explain how measurement of subjective experience such as pain is accomplished.
42. Describe psychological and psychosocial approaches used in reducing chronic pain.
43. Describe the epidemiological characteristics of cardiovascular disease.
44. Describe and critically evaluate the Framingham study. Explain how personality is seen as a factor in heart disease.
45. Describe prevention techniques to reduce cardiovascular disease.
46. Describe rehabilitation techniques for chronic heart disease.
47. Describe how cancer and asthma may be prevented and treated.
48. Describe the data and problems associated with adherence to medical treatment programs.
49. Describe the general characteristics of health care providers of different types.
50. Describe how characteristics of the health care provider may enhance or interfere with the health delivery system.
51. Name alternative ways a knowledge of health psychology can benefit the general population.
52. Discuss future evolution of the field of health psychology.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. The History of the Health Movements
   A. Describe history of the study of disease and health
   B. Identify present-day status of health movements
   C. Define terms within the health area
   D. Identify cross-cultural approaches to health

II. Methods of Study
   A. Review psychological methods in the study of disease
   B. Identify role of psychological factors in causation of disease
   C. Present psychological measures of health status
   D. Evaluate health measurement and evaluation in other cultures

III. Concepts and Methods of Epidemiology
   A. Review history
   B. Use statistical methods
   C. Describe descriptive versus analytical epidemiology

IV. Major Areas of Psychological Impact on Health
   A. Stress
      1. Review literature
      2. Identify psychological techniques in measurement
      3. Present psychological techniques in prevention
      4. Present psychological techniques in treatment
   B. Substance abuse
      1. Review literature
      2. Identify psychological techniques in measurement
      3. Present psychological techniques in prevention
      4. Present psychological techniques in treatment
   C. Chronic pain
      1. Review literature
      2. Identify psychological techniques in measurement
      3. Present psychological techniques in prevention
      4. Present psychological techniques in treatment
   D. Cardiovascular disease, cancer and asthma
      1. Review literature
      2. Identify psychological techniques in measurement
      3. Present psychological techniques in prevention
      4. Present psychological techniques in treatment

V. Mental Health Status Measures
   A. Identify and give examples of basic types of health status measures
      1. Activities of daily living
      2. Sickness impact scale
      3. MONSAQ
      4. Measures of quality of health care
   B. Explain role of psychologist in health areas
      1. Review relationship between mental health and prognosis
      2. Explore future of health psychology
      3. Discuss development of new areas

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

      Four major exams
      Comprehensive final examination
      Periodic quizzes

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.