The question of what constitutes a h ealthy person Essays

The question of what constitutes a h ealthy person has been debated for many years. Historically, b iomedical models of illness see physical and mental illness as two separate things. According to this model, il lness stems from forces outside of an individual's control and the only source of treatment would be by a healthcare professional, i.e . a doctor. Health psychology is a reasonably new field of psychology that challenges this belief. H ealth psychologists use scientific research to understand how the brain works, t o understand how memory works , problem - solving and decision making. L ooking at how things like attitudes, feelings, thoughts , beliefs, and values cou ld impact on health and illness. The overall goal is to help people to make healthier lifestyle choices. ( Wilson 2008 ). Two of the main goals of health psychology include preventing illness an d researching into the prevention and the inventions of health-related illness. (Barley, Lawson, (2016). Psychologists use science and research to better understand perception, learning, language, attention, memory, problem-solving, decision-making and judgment. The information t hey gather is vital to the preventions of illness ill related behaviours . Using this information and a deep knowledge of mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders, psychologists are also looking at the interaction between mental processes, behaviours and health and apply this to applying healthy interventions . They use research to help people adopt healthy habit s , promote health and wellness, prevent illness, a nd improve health care systems. Health psychology focuses on research, considering questions such us , what makes some people overeat and can attitude 's affect how much people exercise , and could beliefs affect attempts to stop smoking? Health psychology challenges the biomedical model of illness by viewin g attitude as a contribution to health and illness . In contrast to the biomedical model , the individual isn't seen as a passive factor in their health and illness but as an active contributor, with the main role in not only the progression but also the cause of illness . Health psychologi sts work to prevent many different health-related issues such as obesity, boosting self-esteem, preventing an xiety and depression , and try to enhance the quality of life of individuals. (Freedland 2017 ) Health psychologists help people make positive choices for their health and well-being . Not only for themselves but their friends, families, and communities. (Bishop, Yardley, 2010). T he focus of this assignment is the work Health psychologist do in the areas of prevention and promoting healthy life style practices . This includes looking at the influential factors on health behaviours, including diet, exercise, smoking and life style factors. This essay will discuss the different models that are used by health psychologists to explain and predict behaviours. I t will explain how each of these works and discuss if there is enough evidence to suggest they can pr edict behaviour . Health psychologist have the view that an individual's characteristics can have advers e effects on their physical health. Health psychologists work to identify personality traits that could encourage good health or well - being . The most commonly used theory used in health psychology is The Health Belief Model (HBM). (Glanz, Marcus Lewis Rimer, 1997). In the 1950s socia l psychologists Rosenstock, K egals and Hochbaum attempted to predict and explain health behaviours by looking at the beliefs , attitudes , and thoughts of an individual , this b ecame the Health Belief Model . HBM is now used to research into many different health behaviours , including the tran smission of sexual ly transmitted i nfections , such as HIV/AIDS , and considering sexual risk behaviours. (Widman, Noar, Choukas-Bradley, Francis, 2015) . According to the Guide for health promotion practice ( Glanz, Marcus Lewis, Rimer, 1997). Rosenstock added a more recent addition to the HBM in 1988, this was so health psychologists could use the HBM to consider how to challenge habitual unhealthy behaviours, like overeating, sedentary lifestyle , and smoking. The HBM was based on the theory that an individual will make a choice to use a positive health-r elated action , as a preventa tive measure. I f that