...Psychology of Health in the Workplace Kristin Haimowitz HCA/250 January 22, 2012 Wakita R. Bradford Psychology of Health in the Workplace A good attitude can go a long way in making the place where you work a more tolerable place to be. Having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier to deal with the smaller problems that seem to happen on a day to day basis. Health psychology is concerned with understanding how biological, psychological, environmental, and cultural factors are involved in physical health and the prevention of illness. Due to recent advances in psychological, medical, and physiological research, it had lead to new ways of thinking about health and illness. This conceptualization, which has been labeled the biopsychosocial model, views health and illness as the product of a combination of factors including biological characteristics (e.g., genetic predisposition), behavioral factors (e.g., lifestyle, stress, health beliefs, and social conditions (e.g., cultural influences, family relationships, social support) (Marks, 2011). People have developed a field of health psychology that helps people deal with stressors that they are involved with at their workplace. Many experts perform research to help them solidify their findings. Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) has developed from these studies, and does research so that they can better understand the needs of people in their work settings. Also, OHP looks to understand how psychosocial characteristics...
Words: 573 - Pages: 3
...Access to higher education Psychology assignment (karon Chewter 7nd March 2016) Psychology applied to health Health psychology is the study of health, illnessillness, and health care practice. Health psychology as a unique area of psychology came to the forefront in the 1970s and has since grown. (Gross.R 2005) Health psychology is an exciting and relatively new field devoted to understanding psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill and how they respond when they do get ill? It focuses on health promotion and maintenance, prevention and treatment of illness and the understanding of the biopsychosocial aspects of physical and mental illness, improvement of the health care system and the formulation of health policy (S.E, Taylor, 1995). The main areas of health psychology are stress and coping, health behaviours and issues in health. Health psychologists study such issues and develop interventions to help people stay well or get over illness. For exampleexample, a health psychology researcher might be interested in why adolescents continue to binge drink even though they know that binge drinking increases their risk of cancer and heart disease. Understanding this poor health habit leads to interventions to help adolescents stop binge drinking. The waysways, in which health psychologists try to change the behaviours, the influence of behaviourist such as Skinner and Watson will...
Words: 1501 - Pages: 7
...Axia College Material Appendix E Pain Matrix Sarafino (2006) noted that “people are more likely to seek medical treatment without delay if they feel pain” (p. 292). Pain is not pleasant, but it is a necessary response for us to know when something is wrong, allowing us to limit damage to our bodies. There are many types and sources of pain. It is a sense that we experience in varying degrees of intensity, depending upon the individual. Some individuals have a rare condition called congenital analgesia, where they are unable to feel any type of pain. Most of these people die young because, without pain, the seriousness of their life-threatening injuries or illnesses go undetected, eventually leading to death (Kalb et al, 2003). Directions: Refer to Ch. 11 of the text as you fill in the chart, using your own words to describe different kinds of pain and their causes. |Pain event |Description of pain event |Origin of pain event (physiological, | | |(Answer in 1 to 2 sentences) |psychological, or both) | |Referred pain |Pain that is felt at a place in the body different |Psychological | | |from the injured or diseased part where the pain | | | |would be expected. ...
Words: 294 - Pages: 2
...The biopsychosocial perspective is a comprehensive approach to health and illness that is crucial to improving the quality of life. The purpose of this essay is to describe a practice experience from a biopsychosocial perspective of a patient admitted to a unit for respite care. The patient has a diagnosis of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and the area being considered is the patient’s immobility. To begin, biopsychosocial will be defined and a brief description of the patient will be given before discussing how this central nervous system condition has affected the patient. The patient’s primary symptoms affecting their mobility will be described, along with a secondary symptom which the patient is vulnerable to developing. Subsequently, the associated tertiary symptoms affecting the patient psychological state and social systems will be discussed before summarising the knowledge gained and how this will alter skills in future practice experiences. To respect and maintain patient confidentiality in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils 2008 code, a pseudonym will be used and will be referred to as Mary throughout this essay. Mary is a forty-nine year old female who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis twenty-one years ago. In 2006 her mobility deteriorated after a significant relapse and as a result of her symptoms she has been confined to bed since 2010. Additionally Mary has mild speech difficulties, is doubly incontinent and has a history of depression...
Words: 1624 - Pages: 7
...Richard L. Graham PSY 352 – Health Psychology June 20, 2015 Instructor Bill Plath Biopsychosocial vs. Biomedical Model Essay The most effective way to understand biopsychosocial model of health and biomedical model of health is to compare and contrast the two model. With biomedical model there are some benefits that are remarkably positive for the studying of diseases. Biomedical is a model in which it has the ability to be reductionistic, meaning that it plays a role reducing illness to a lower level. Whereas the biopsychosocial model maintains the factor of biological, psychological coupling social factors in of health and illness it also focuses while emphasizing extensively on health and illness as a deviation. Even though medical practitioners focus more on diagnosis and treatment, this essay will provide a compared and contrasted evidence between biopsychosocial model of health and biomedical model of health, making it easier to understand the advantages of the biopsychosocial model while revealing of the model which is most ready to used in researches and studies. The concept of mind and body in compilation makes up health and illness, so here a model has to be determined for the study of these issues, biopsychosocial model would be the model implemented for the logic of health and illness. In accordance to: Suls, J (2004) "Biopsychosocial is the foundational assumption, health and illness are consequences of the inter-play of biological, psychological, and social...
Words: 769 - Pages: 4
...The biopsychosocial disease model becomes increasingly recognized in medicine and therefore numerous methods of treatment including biological, pharmacological, psychological are used to treat various psychological disease. In other words peoples use drugs to fight against psychological problems considering that connection between physical and mental state is significant. Drugs for the treatment of mental disease and psychological disorders firstly appear in 1950s in the form of iproniazid. It was created in the early 50’s in the United States. The main purpose of this drug was to increase the effectiveness of treatment of tuberculosis with antibiotics. As side effects doctors observed hyperactivity and mood improvement of the patients....
Words: 1106 - Pages: 5
...The textbook explains that there really isn't one wrong or right theoretical perspective, but I feel that the biopsychosocial perspective is explained best. To understand psychology and human behavior, including abnormal behavior, there needs to be a combination of three factors. The three factors are biological, psychological and sociocultural factors. The textbook also makes clear that the biopsychosocial perspective "brings a much needed interactionist focus to the study of abnormal behavior by considering the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors" (Nevid, Rathus, Greene 69) and also "holds the view that with few exceptions, psychological disorders or other patterns of abnormal behavior are complex phenomena arising...
Words: 257 - Pages: 2
...Literature Review Cardiovascular Disease Susan A. Hensley Excelsior College Abstract Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the foremost origins of morbidity and mortality in the United States today, and the rates have grown exponentially over the last few decades. There is a number of health related factors and behaviors that contribute to the onset of CVD and its contribution to other well-known diseases. Implementing appropriate life style changes, certain medications, and education can contribute to the early detection of CVD and can have the potential to modify or alter the course of this deadly disease. Kehler, Christensen, Risor, Lauritzen, and Christensen (2009), reported “that patients who had a discussion with their doctor about cardiovascular disease including information about the disease, knowledge about the disease, and perception of risk and prevention strategies indicated that they were able to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes into their diet”. Through education and recognition, healthcare providers can assist patients in achieving healthy lifestyles and initiate ways to decrease risk factors associated with CVD. The health promotion model (HPM) can be utilized to enhance patients’ awareness for prevention, intervention, and perception of risks related CVD. The contents included in this paper will discuss how CVD is defined medically and through patients’ perspectives; the prevalence of CVD in the United States; precipitating factors of CVD; vulnerable...
Words: 1562 - Pages: 7
...Evaluate biomedical model of health Current medical models assume that all illness is secondary to disease. Revision is needed to explain illnesses without disease and improve organisation of health care. Cultural and professional models of illness influence decisions on individual patients and delivery of health care. The biomedical model of illness, which has dominated health care for the past century, cannot fully explain many forms of illness. This failure stems partly from three assumptions: all illness has a single underlying cause, disease (pathology) is always the single cause, and removal or attenuation of the disease will result in a return to health. Currently, most models of illness assume a causal relation between disease and illness—the perceived condition of poor health felt by an individual. Cultural health beliefs and models of illness help determine the perceived importance of symptoms and the subsequent use of medical resources.4 The assumption that a specific disease underlies all illness has led to medicalisation of commonly experienced anomalous sensations and often disbelief of patients who present with illness without any demonstrable disease process. Finally, most biomedical models also seem strongly linked to primitive forms of intuitive mind-body dualism. Health commissioners, budgetary systems, healthcare professionals, and the public all act as if there is some clear, inescapable separation between physical and mental health problems, ignoring evidence...
Words: 806 - Pages: 4
...describes health as: “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1948) This definition was formulated in 1948 and at the time was a breakthrough in the health care sector and was finally seen as a positive definition of health, rather than negative. Most definition concentrated on disease and illness. There are some criticisms that state that the model describes health as a ‘state’ rather than a process and does not put any certain boundaries on what is considered “health”. In healthcare, models are used to diagnose and explain an individual’s health. There are four main models that dominate the health care profession which are the biomedical model, social model, biopsychosocial model and the holistic model. In this essay I will discuss all four models by looking at their advantages and limitations in health care. The biomedical model is a dominant model of disease in contemporary medicine and was devised by medical scientists for the study of disease. It was created as a scientific model therefor involved a set of scientific assumptions and rules. Biomedicine is the principal way of understanding health and illness. It is widely accepted by the medical profession and also by the non-professional population (Barry, Yuill 2012). The models rapidly became popular in health care approaches over the nineteenth century and focused on biological factors only. It is based on the assumptions about the functioning...
Words: 2054 - Pages: 9
...Student’s Name University Affiliation Health would be described in various ways in the current world. Different sections of the society may define health in different aspects; some are of the thought that healthy living is basically the absence of illness or ailment. This group of people therefore has come up with a set way of practice which is referred to as Biomedical model of health. This Model focuses solely on the disease/illness and the individual body functions and the biological processes involved. On the other hand, there is a different section of society that believes that healthy living comprises not only the body but the mind and the environment an individual is exposed to. This is defined as the Biopsychosocial Model of Health. Biomedical Model of Health works with the several assumptions put forward, among this is the argument that the body and the mind are separate entity when it comes to health matters. The hypothesis here is that illness basically is a deviation of the normal biological functions of the body and all other factors play very little role in an individual’s overall health. In this regard, this model assumes health and illness to be looked at separately. In essence this model exudes the notion that both psychological and social factors do not play any role in the effect of one’s health (Santrock, 2007) This type of model has its applications with considerable merits and demerits as well. It is mainly useful and applicable...
Words: 908 - Pages: 4
...The biopsychosocial perspective is a comprehensive approach to health and illness that is crucial to improving the quality of life. The purpose of this essay is to describe a practice experience from a biopsychosocial perspective of a patient admitted to a unit for respite care. The patient has a diagnosis of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and the area being considered is the patient’s immobility. To begin, biopsychosocial will be defined and a brief description of the patient will be given before discussing how this central nervous system condition has affected the patient. The patient’s primary symptoms affecting their mobility will be described, along with a secondary symptom which the patient is vulnerable to developing. Subsequently, the associated tertiary symptoms affecting the patient psychological state and social systems will be discussed before summarising the knowledge gained and how this will alter skills in future practice experiences. To respect and maintain patient confidentiality in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils (2008) code, a pseudonym will be used and will be referred to as Mary throughout this essay. Mary is a forty-nine year old female who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis twenty-one years ago. In 2006 her mobility deteriorated after a significant relapse and as a result of her symptoms she has been confined to bed since 2010. Additionally Mary has mild speech difficulties, is doubly incontinent and has a history of depression...
Words: 2138 - Pages: 9
...Academic reflective essay The essay will focus on the patient involved in the given case study named as Mrs. S. In addition, the essay will give a relevant and brief history of the patient. It will also define the term ‘bio-psycho-social’ and its relevance to holistic care. For the point of discussion, the essay will focus on the management of care for patient with gastrointestinal illness resulting in stoma operation and will discuss the biopsychosocial factors affecting the patient and how this changes ‘normal’ biology, psychology and sociology. The individual chosen to focus on is named as Mrs. S. The patient involved in this case study Mrs. S. is a 48 years old lady who works in school as a teacher. She lives with her husband, Mr. S, in a small town. Her husband works as a builder, which has long working hours, leaving him not much time to look after their children. They have two girls and they are aged 12 and 10. They are a loving family. Mrs. S looks after the children, takes them to school and pick them up. Mrs. S is a very active lady with a very active social life, she likes to meet up with her friends during the weekend; she swims four days a week with her children, and she balances her time with family and her job. She is suffering from mild hypertension, drinks minimal amount of alcohol during the weekends and smokes 5-10 cigarettes a day. The term ‘bio-psycho-social’ refers to the relationship amongst biological, psychological and social characteristics of an...
Words: 2355 - Pages: 10
...Associate Level Material Stress and Illness in the Workplace Matrix Use the following table to describe the relationship between stress and health in the workplace and to identify ways to reduce stress in the workplace. If you use additional sources, include citations consistent with APA guidelines. |What is the relationship between stress and health in the workplace? |The relationship between stress and health can be regarded as a physiological aspect that could affect health and wellness. Stress| | |in the workplace can lead to a person becoming ill or shutting down both mentally and physically. Stress can not only open up a | | |person to illness but also hinder their ability to heal and get over an illness (Sarafino, 2011). | |Identify a situation in which you experienced stress in the workplace or provide a |All the dental assistants in my clinic called in sick, leaving me to deal with most aspects of patient care along with my | |fictional example. |administrative duties. Prioritizing patients and my normal workload became very stressful as I was trying to answer the phones, | | |schedule patients...
Words: 522 - Pages: 3
...Psychology of Health in the Workplace Kristin Haimowitz HCA/250 January 22, 2012 Wakita R. Bradford Psychology of Health in the Workplace A good attitude can go a long way in making the place where you work a more tolerable place to be. Having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier to deal with the smaller problems that seem to happen on a day to day basis. Health psychology is concerned with understanding how biological, psychological, environmental, and cultural factors are involved in physical health and the prevention of illness. Due to recent advances in psychological, medical, and physiological research, it had lead to new ways of thinking about health and illness. This conceptualization, which has been labeled the biopsychosocial model, views health and illness as the product of a combination of factors including biological characteristics (e.g., genetic predisposition), behavioral factors (e.g., lifestyle, stress, health beliefs, and social conditions (e.g., cultural influences, family relationships, social support) (Marks, 2011). People have developed a field of health psychology that helps people deal with stressors that they are involved with at their workplace. Many experts perform research to help them solidify their findings. Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) has developed from these studies, and does research so that they can better understand the needs of people in their work settings. Also, OHP looks to understand how psychosocial characteristics...
Words: 462 - Pages: 2
