Key Terms
| Term | Definition |
| Health (WHO def) | A state of complete physical, mental & social wellbeing, not just the absence of illness |
| Health (APA def) | A condition involving mind, body and spirit, emphasising freedom from illness, pain or distress. |
| Wellbeing | A holistic state of comfort, health & happiness across physical mental & social domains. |
| Subjective Wellbeing | Your personal assessment of your happiness and life satisfaction |
| Objective Wellbeing | Measurable factors like physical health, income and social connections that contribute to overall wellbeing |
Critiquing Definitions of Health
WHO definition
Pros:
- Broad
- Inclusive
- Recognises health as more than absence of disease
Cons:
- Too general
- Doesn’t specify psychological factors
- Overlooks cultural & socioeconomic influences
APA definition
Pros:
- Acknowledges spiritual & psychological factors
- Includes mind, body, spirit
Cons:
- Vague
- Doesn’t fully account for cultural differences
Wellbeing as a Holistic & Multidimensional Concept
We recognise that wellbeing involves a valance of many factors
Some of these factors include:
Physical Wellbeing
- Bodily health
- Energy
- Ability to physically function
Mental/ emotional Wellbeing
- Psychological
- Cognitive
- Emotional
- Resilience
- Mood
Social Wellbeing
- Quality of social connections
- Interactions with others
Personal Circumstances
- Environmental & socioeconomic conditions the shape opportunities and daily life
Activities & Functioning
- Daily behaviours
- Routins
- Ability to participate in meaningful activities
Spiritual Wellbeing
- Meaning
- Purpose
- Connection to something greater
History of Health Psychology
Prehistoric Era
Supernatural explanations for health & illness
Trephining –> used to release evil spirits
Classical Greece
Humoral Theory (Hippocrates)
Health depends on balancing four fluids in our body
Middle Ages
Regression to supernatural
Exorcism, bloodletting, confinement
Renaissance
Mind-Body Dualism (Descartes)
The mind and body seen as separate by interacting entities
19th Century
Birth of Psychology (Wundt)
Wilhelm Wundt establishes psychology as an independent discipline
20th Century
Biomedical & Psychosomatic Models
Biomedical model = health is absence of disease
Psychosomatic model = exploring links between mind & body
Late 20th Century
Biopsychosocial Model (Engel)
Integration of biological, psychological & social factors in modern psychology practice
Limitations of Major Models
Biomedical model:
- Overlooks psychological & social factors of health
- Not effective for understanding mental health
Psychosomatic Medicine:
- Early theories made unsupported claims
- Doesn’t account for social/ environmental influences
Biopsychosocial Model:
- Hard to address all factors equally
Contemporary Concerns & Future Directions
Australia Mental Health Prevalence
- Lifetime Prevalence: Almost 45% of Australians aged 16–85 will experience a mental illness at some stage in their lives.
- Annual Prevalence in Youth: About 14% of children and adolescents experience a mental illness each year.
- Comorbidity: Roughly 1 in 8 Australians face both a mental illness and a physical health condition at the same time.
- Disparities by Group: Mental health conditions are more common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
- Severity Spectrum: Mental illness can range from mild and episodic to severe and persistent, affecting daily life in different ways.
What are Health Disparities?
Different factors that contribute to unequal health outcomes.
Cultural & Ethnic Disparities:
- Prejudice in the health care system
Socioeconomic Status & Education:
- Lower education & income –> higher health risks
- Reduced access to care
Geographic & Access Barriers:
- Location affects quality and accessibility of health services
Disability & Marginalised Groups:
- Higher rates of distress
- Increased barriers to care
Contemporary Challenges in Health & Wellbeing
| Comorbidity & Complexity | People experience more than one health condition at the same time. Complex health conditions require multidisciplinary care. |
| Access & Equity | Barriers create unequal access to care |
| Health Literacy & Self Care | Health literacy impacts a person’s ability to follow treatment plans/ engage in self care. Important for prevention of illness. |
| Stigma & Cultural Competence | Stigma around mental health discourages people from seeking help. We need to build culturally sensitive services. |
Technology & Evolving Wellbeing
- Increased digital tools
- More teamwork from professionals of diverse backgrounds
- Increasing emphasis on prevention through early education
- Health psychologists taking on more roles in policy & Research
Important skills for future practice:
- Interdisciplinary & Holistic Approaches
- Ethical & Inclusive Practice
- Technology skills
- Advocacy skills
Interviewing & Counselling Skills
These are skills that help you to connect with and empower people. They also help you to gather important information and support clients.
Core Skills
- Building rapport
- Gathering accurate & relevant information
- Facilitating client self reflection
- Supporting motivation & behaviour change
- Enhancing adherence to treatment & care plans
- Provide emotional support
The Therapeutic Alliance
| Tasks | Goals | Bond |
| Specific activities agreed upon by client + professional | The desired outcomes the client & professional want to achieve. Should be a collaborative, clear and realistic process | The sense of trust, respect and emotional connection between client & professional |
