Psychology of Health and Illness
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| HLTH1004 | Health Sciences | 1 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- HLTH1004
- School
- Health Sciences
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This course aims to develop understanding of the way individuals identify, understand, talk about, and experience health and illness. Understanding the psychology of health and illness involves knowing the cognitive processes that promote psychological wellbeing, maintain health, and prevent disease. This course will consider how health promotion activities relate to personality factors, health beliefs and behaviours, and models of behaviour change.
Students will cover:
Psychological factors involved in the maintenance and change of health behaviours
Understand how psychological factors contribute to health- related individual, group and population behaviours
Evaluation of existing health promotion initiatives and their relation to psychological theories and models of behaviour change
Psychological health outcomes including quality of life and chronic health status
Target Students
Students on the BSc Health Promotion and Public Health Academic Plan
Classes
60 hours tutor led teaching, the remaining 140 hours are for self-directed study, tutorials and assignment development
Assessment
- 100% Assignment: 3,000 word written assignment
Assessed by end of designated period
Educational Aims
Individual behaviour and its impact on health is a key consideration when developing health promotion activities. This course aims to determine the theory and models behind health behaviours that promote health and wellbeing or ill health and how sociodemographic factors can influence our thoughts about health and our health seeking behaviours.Learning Outcomes
Describe the psychological factors involved in the maintenance and change of health behaviours
Demonstrate an understanding of how psychological factors contribute to health-related individual, group and population behaviours
Describe and evaluate existing health promotion initiatives and how these relate to psychological theories and models of behaviour change
Understand the importance of psychological health outcomes including quality of life and chronic health status