The aims of health psychology

The aims of health psychology

The aims of health psychology can be divided into two main aspects:
1. Understanding, explaining, developing and testing theory (for example: what is the role of behaviour in the etiology of illness? Can we predict unhealthy behaviour by studying beliefs?).
2. Putting theory into practice (for example: if we understand the role of behaviour in illness, can unhealthy behaviours be targeted for intervention? if we change beliefs and behaviour, can we prevent illness onset?)
Health psychologists study the role of psychology in all areas of health and illness, including:
1. what people think about health and illness;
2. the role of beliefs and behaviours in becoming ill;
3. the experience of being ill in terms of adaption to illness;
4. contact with health professionals;
5. coping with illness;
6. compliance with a range of interventions; and
7. the role of psychology in recovery from illness, quality of life and longevity.