Preface v
CHAPTER 1
Introduction 1
Preview 2
What Is Health Psychology? 2
Box 1.1 Health Psychology in the Real World: Ban Smoking in Public
Housing 8
Box 1.2 Focus on Research: Can Writing About Feelings Help People Cope
With Cancer? 10
What Factors Led to the Development of Health Psychology? 10
The Nature of Illnesses Has Changed 10
Box 1.3 Focus on Development: The Importance of Immunizations 13
The Biomedical Model Is Unable to Fully Account for Health 13
Health-Care Costs Have Risen Dramatically 16
What Is the History of Health Psychology? 18
Box 1.4 Focus on Culture: Health Means Different Things in Different
Cultures 21
What Lies Ahead 21
Summary 22
Key Terms 23
Thought Questions 23
CHAPTER 2
Research Methods 24
Preview 25
What Is the Scientific Method? 26
What Are Survey Methods? 32
What Are Experimental Methods? 35
Box 2.1 Focus on Research: The Impact of Divorce on Life Expectancy 38
Box 2.2 Focus on Development: The Link Between Breast-Feeding and Infant
Illness 39
What Are Clinical Methods? 41
Box 2.3 Health Psychology in the Real World: The Ethical Challenges of
Conducting Research on Cancer Treatment 42
How Can We Evaluate Research Studies? 43
Internal Validity 43
Box 2.4 Focus on Research: The Power of Mind-Set on Health 45
External Validity 47
What Is the Best Research Approach? 49
How Do Research Ethics Influence Scientific Studies? 51
Ethical Issues Relevant to Experimentation on Animals 54
Summary 56
Key Terms 57
Thought Questions 57
CHAPTER 3
Theories of Health Behavior 58
Preview 59
What Are Continuum Theories of Health Behavior? 60
Health Belief Model 60
Box 3.1 Focus on Research: Using ‘‘Friendship Bracelets’’ to Increase Condom
Use 63
Theories of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior 64
Box 3.2 Focus on Culture: The Role of Individual and Social Factors on
Health 65
Learning Theories 67
Box 3.3 Focus on Development: Using Operant Conditioning to Improve
Children’s Eating and Exercise Behavior 70
Box 3.4 Focus on Research: Can Watching Television Cause Teenage
Pregnancy? 71
Box 3.5 Health Psychology in the Real World: The Hazards of
Airbrushing 72
Social Cognitive Theory 74
What Are Stage Models of Health Behavior Change? 78
Transtheoretical or Stages of Change Model 78
Precaution Adoption Process Model 83
How Should These Models Be Integrated and Extended? 87
Summary 89
Key Terms 89
Thought Questions 90
Answers to Questioning the Research 90
CHAPTER 4
Stress 91
Preview 92
What Are the Main Sources of Stress? 93
How Is Stress Measured? 95
Self-Report Inventories 95
Box 4.1 Focus on Research: Does Stress Cause
Breast Cancer? 98
Physiological Measures 100
How Does Stress Influence Health? 102
Cannon’s Fight-or-Flight Response 102
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) 103
Updates to the Fight-or-Flight and GAS Models 105
What Are the Physical Consequences of Stress? 108
Nervous System 109
Endocrine System 110
Cardiovascular System 111
Box 4.2 Focus on Development: Why the Early Years Really Matter 112
Immune System 115
Psychoneuroimmunology 118
Indirect Effects of Stress on Health 119
What Are the Psychological Consequences of Stress? 120
What Are Some Strategies for Managing Stress? 122
Coping Styles 122
Box 4.3 Focus on Research: The Influence of Problem-Focused Coping on
Health 125
Box 4.4 Focus on Culture: Writing About Problems Helps Some People But
Not All 130
Relaxation and Mindfulness 131
Humor 133
Exercise 134
Social Support 134
Religion 134
Summary 139
Key Terms 140
Thought Questions 140
Answers to Questioning the Research 141
CHAPTER 5
Managing Stress: The Role of Personality and Social
Support 142
Preview 144
What Personality Factors Are Associated With Good Health? 144
Positive States 145
Box 5.1 Focus on Research: Why Positive People Are Less Likely to Get a
Cold 145
Optimism 146
Conscientiousness 149
Box 5.2 Focus on Development: The Powerful Influence of Childhood
Personality on Adult Health-Related Behavior 150
Internal Locus of Control/Hardiness 150
What Personality Factors Are Associated With Bad Health? 152
Neuroticism/Negative Affect 152
Type A Behavior 153
Hostility/Disagreeableness 155
Explaining the Link Between Personality and Health 156
Stress 156
Physiological Mechanisms 158
Coping Strategies 159
Social Support 160
Health Habits 160
Self-Report 162
What Are the Leading Causes of Injuries? 195
Motor Vehicle Accidents 195
Poisoning 196
Suicide 197
Box 6.2 Focus on Research: The Hazards of Owning a Firearm 199
Falls 199
Homicide 200
Box 6.3 Focus on Research: Does Harry Potter Prevent Injuries in
Children? 201
Box 6.4 Focus on Development: The Prevalence of Child Abuse and
Neglect 201
What Are the Strategies for Preventing Injuries? 202
Active Strategies 203
Box 6.5 Health Psychology in the Real World: The Very Real Tragedy of
Drunk Driving 205
Passive Strategies 207
Societal Changes 207
Summary 210
Key Terms 211
Thought Questions 211
Answers to Questioning the Research 211
CHAPTER 7
Smoking and Alcohol Abuse 212
Preview 214
What Is the Prevalence of Smoking? 214
What Are the Health Consequences of Smoking? 214
Box 7.1 Focus on Development: The Impact of Passive Smoking on
Children 216
How Do Psychological Factors Lead to the Initiation of Smoking? 217
Box 7.2 Focus on Research: The Hazards of Smoking in Movies 220
What Factors Lead to Continued Smoking? 220
Nicotine-Based Models 221
Affect-Regulation Model 222
Combined Models 224
What Are Some Strategies for Preventing Smoking? 225
What Are Some Strategies for Quitting Smoking? 229
Box 7.3 Health Psychology in the Real World: Finally Tough Enough to Give
Up Snuff 230
What Is the Prevalence of Alcohol Use and Abuse? 234
Box 7.4 Focus on Culture: The Impact of Culture on Alcohol Regulations,
Consumption, and Consequences 235
What Are the Health Consequences of Alcohol Abuse? 237
Box 7.5 Focus on Research: Why Drinking Alcohol Interferes With Condom
Use 240
How Do Psychological Factors Lead to Alcohol Abuse? 241
Tension-Reduction Theory 241
Social Learning Theory 241
Personality 244
Biological/Genetic Factors 244
What Are Some Strategies for Preventing Alcohol Abuse? 245
What Are Some Strategies for Treating Alcohol Abuse? 248
Summary 252
Key Terms 253
Thought Questions 253
Answers to Questioning the Research 254
CHAPTER 8
Obesity and Eating Disorders 255
Preview 257
What Is Obesity? 257
What Are the Consequences of Obesity? 260
How Do Genetic Factors Cause Obesity? 262
How Do Psychological Factors Influence Eating (and Overeating)? 265
Internal-External Hypothesis 265
Mood Regulation 267
Restraint Theory 269
Sociocultural Factors 270
Box 8.1 Focus on Research: Is Obesity Contagious? 271
Box 8.2 Focus on Development: The Long-Lasting Impact of Prenatal
Tasting 272
What Are Some Physical Methods of Controlling Pain? 318
Medication 319
Surgery 320
Physical Therapy/Exercise 320
Physical Stimulation 321
Box 9.2 Focus on Research: Does Acupuncture Really Work to Reduce
Pain? 324
What Are Some Psychological Methods of Controlling Pain? 324
Hypnosis 324
Biofeedback 326
Relaxation and Distraction 327
Box 9.3 Focus on Research: Can Looking at Pictures of Loved Ones Reduce
Pain? 328
Box 9.4 Focus on Development: The Impact of Watching Movies on Pain
Relief in Children 329
Cognitive Approaches 330
Behavior Therapy 334
Conclusions 336
Can Placebos Decrease Pain? 336
Factors That Influence the Effectiveness of Placebos 336
Physiological Mechanisms That Explain the Influence of Placebos 338
Summary 342
Key Terms 342
Thought Questions 343
Answers to Questioning the Research 343
CHAPTER 10
Chronic Illness 344
Preview 346
What Are Chronic Diseases? 346
Box 10.1 Focus on Culture: The Prevalence of Chronic Diseases
Worldwide 347
What Are the Consequences of Having Chronic Illnesses? 348
Physical Problems 348
Social Problems 350
Box 10.2 Focus on Development: How Do Children Cope With Having a
Chronic Disease? 351
Psychological Problems 354
CHAPTER 1
Introduction 1
Preview 2
What Is Health Psychology? 2
Box 1.1 Health Psychology in the Real World: Ban Smoking in Public
Housing 8
Box 1.2 Focus on Research: Can Writing About Feelings Help People Cope
With Cancer? 10
What Factors Led to the Development of Health Psychology? 10
The Nature of Illnesses Has Changed 10
Box 1.3 Focus on Development: The Importance of Immunizations 13
The Biomedical Model Is Unable to Fully Account for Health 13
Health-Care Costs Have Risen Dramatically 16
What Is the History of Health Psychology? 18
Box 1.4 Focus on Culture: Health Means Different Things in Different
Cultures 21
What Lies Ahead 21
Summary 22
Key Terms 23
Thought Questions 23
CHAPTER 2
Research Methods 24
Preview 25
What Is the Scientific Method? 26
What Are Survey Methods? 32
What Are Experimental Methods? 35
Box 2.1 Focus on Research: The Impact of Divorce on Life Expectancy 38
Box 2.2 Focus on Development: The Link Between Breast-Feeding and Infant
Illness 39
What Are Clinical Methods? 41
Box 2.3 Health Psychology in the Real World: The Ethical Challenges of
Conducting Research on Cancer Treatment 42
How Can We Evaluate Research Studies? 43
Internal Validity 43
Box 2.4 Focus on Research: The Power of Mind-Set on Health 45
External Validity 47
What Is the Best Research Approach? 49
How Do Research Ethics Influence Scientific Studies? 51
Ethical Issues Relevant to Experimentation on Animals 54
Summary 56
Key Terms 57
Thought Questions 57
CHAPTER 3
Theories of Health Behavior 58
Preview 59
What Are Continuum Theories of Health Behavior? 60
Health Belief Model 60
Box 3.1 Focus on Research: Using ‘‘Friendship Bracelets’’ to Increase Condom
Use 63
Theories of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior 64
Box 3.2 Focus on Culture: The Role of Individual and Social Factors on
Health 65
Learning Theories 67
Box 3.3 Focus on Development: Using Operant Conditioning to Improve
Children’s Eating and Exercise Behavior 70
Box 3.4 Focus on Research: Can Watching Television Cause Teenage
Pregnancy? 71
Box 3.5 Health Psychology in the Real World: The Hazards of
Airbrushing 72
Social Cognitive Theory 74
What Are Stage Models of Health Behavior Change? 78
Transtheoretical or Stages of Change Model 78
Precaution Adoption Process Model 83
How Should These Models Be Integrated and Extended? 87
Summary 89
Key Terms 89
Thought Questions 90
Answers to Questioning the Research 90
CHAPTER 4
Stress 91
Preview 92
What Are the Main Sources of Stress? 93
How Is Stress Measured? 95
Self-Report Inventories 95
Box 4.1 Focus on Research: Does Stress Cause
Breast Cancer? 98
Physiological Measures 100
How Does Stress Influence Health? 102
Cannon’s Fight-or-Flight Response 102
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) 103
Updates to the Fight-or-Flight and GAS Models 105
What Are the Physical Consequences of Stress? 108
Nervous System 109
Endocrine System 110
Cardiovascular System 111
Box 4.2 Focus on Development: Why the Early Years Really Matter 112
Immune System 115
Psychoneuroimmunology 118
Indirect Effects of Stress on Health 119
What Are the Psychological Consequences of Stress? 120
What Are Some Strategies for Managing Stress? 122
Coping Styles 122
Box 4.3 Focus on Research: The Influence of Problem-Focused Coping on
Health 125
Box 4.4 Focus on Culture: Writing About Problems Helps Some People But
Not All 130
Relaxation and Mindfulness 131
Humor 133
Exercise 134
Social Support 134
Religion 134
Summary 139
Key Terms 140
Thought Questions 140
Answers to Questioning the Research 141
CHAPTER 5
Managing Stress: The Role of Personality and Social
Support 142
Preview 144
What Personality Factors Are Associated With Good Health? 144
Positive States 145
Box 5.1 Focus on Research: Why Positive People Are Less Likely to Get a
Cold 145
Optimism 146
Conscientiousness 149
Box 5.2 Focus on Development: The Powerful Influence of Childhood
Personality on Adult Health-Related Behavior 150
Internal Locus of Control/Hardiness 150
What Personality Factors Are Associated With Bad Health? 152
Neuroticism/Negative Affect 152
Type A Behavior 153
Hostility/Disagreeableness 155
Explaining the Link Between Personality and Health 156
Stress 156
Physiological Mechanisms 158
Coping Strategies 159
Social Support 160
Health Habits 160
Self-Report 162
What Are the Leading Causes of Injuries? 195
Motor Vehicle Accidents 195
Poisoning 196
Suicide 197
Box 6.2 Focus on Research: The Hazards of Owning a Firearm 199
Falls 199
Homicide 200
Box 6.3 Focus on Research: Does Harry Potter Prevent Injuries in
Children? 201
Box 6.4 Focus on Development: The Prevalence of Child Abuse and
Neglect 201
What Are the Strategies for Preventing Injuries? 202
Active Strategies 203
Box 6.5 Health Psychology in the Real World: The Very Real Tragedy of
Drunk Driving 205
Passive Strategies 207
Societal Changes 207
Summary 210
Key Terms 211
Thought Questions 211
Answers to Questioning the Research 211
CHAPTER 7
Smoking and Alcohol Abuse 212
Preview 214
What Is the Prevalence of Smoking? 214
What Are the Health Consequences of Smoking? 214
Box 7.1 Focus on Development: The Impact of Passive Smoking on
Children 216
How Do Psychological Factors Lead to the Initiation of Smoking? 217
Box 7.2 Focus on Research: The Hazards of Smoking in Movies 220
What Factors Lead to Continued Smoking? 220
Nicotine-Based Models 221
Affect-Regulation Model 222
Combined Models 224
What Are Some Strategies for Preventing Smoking? 225
What Are Some Strategies for Quitting Smoking? 229
Box 7.3 Health Psychology in the Real World: Finally Tough Enough to Give
Up Snuff 230
What Is the Prevalence of Alcohol Use and Abuse? 234
Box 7.4 Focus on Culture: The Impact of Culture on Alcohol Regulations,
Consumption, and Consequences 235
What Are the Health Consequences of Alcohol Abuse? 237
Box 7.5 Focus on Research: Why Drinking Alcohol Interferes With Condom
Use 240
How Do Psychological Factors Lead to Alcohol Abuse? 241
Tension-Reduction Theory 241
Social Learning Theory 241
Personality 244
Biological/Genetic Factors 244
What Are Some Strategies for Preventing Alcohol Abuse? 245
What Are Some Strategies for Treating Alcohol Abuse? 248
Summary 252
Key Terms 253
Thought Questions 253
Answers to Questioning the Research 254
CHAPTER 8
Obesity and Eating Disorders 255
Preview 257
What Is Obesity? 257
What Are the Consequences of Obesity? 260
How Do Genetic Factors Cause Obesity? 262
How Do Psychological Factors Influence Eating (and Overeating)? 265
Internal-External Hypothesis 265
Mood Regulation 267
Restraint Theory 269
Sociocultural Factors 270
Box 8.1 Focus on Research: Is Obesity Contagious? 271
Box 8.2 Focus on Development: The Long-Lasting Impact of Prenatal
Tasting 272
What Are Some Physical Methods of Controlling Pain? 318
Medication 319
Surgery 320
Physical Therapy/Exercise 320
Physical Stimulation 321
Box 9.2 Focus on Research: Does Acupuncture Really Work to Reduce
Pain? 324
What Are Some Psychological Methods of Controlling Pain? 324
Hypnosis 324
Biofeedback 326
Relaxation and Distraction 327
Box 9.3 Focus on Research: Can Looking at Pictures of Loved Ones Reduce
Pain? 328
Box 9.4 Focus on Development: The Impact of Watching Movies on Pain
Relief in Children 329
Cognitive Approaches 330
Behavior Therapy 334
Conclusions 336
Can Placebos Decrease Pain? 336
Factors That Influence the Effectiveness of Placebos 336
Physiological Mechanisms That Explain the Influence of Placebos 338
Summary 342
Key Terms 342
Thought Questions 343
Answers to Questioning the Research 343
CHAPTER 10
Chronic Illness 344
Preview 346
What Are Chronic Diseases? 346
Box 10.1 Focus on Culture: The Prevalence of Chronic Diseases
Worldwide 347
What Are the Consequences of Having Chronic Illnesses? 348
Physical Problems 348
Social Problems 350
Box 10.2 Focus on Development: How Do Children Cope With Having a
Chronic Disease? 351
Psychological Problems 354