Fatima Case Study Health Psychology

For this week’s case study, we will focus on Fatima, a single mother currently working fifty hours per week to raise her two children. We will review Fatima’s case and attempt to provide at least two sound arguments to describe the effects that her current lifestyle may have on her life span and the future development of her children. The context for which we will make the arguments will be based on the research and applied theories in the fields of Health

Psychology. “Health psychology is the study of the role of psychology in any physical health problem ranging from coughs and colds to cancer, coronary heart disease, HIV, obesity and diabetes.”Ogden, 2017 pg. 14)

Health psychology views the relationship between the mental and physical state

There are four areas of emphasis studied and examined under health psychology. (Ogden, J. 2017).

The first area of study is called the biopsychosocial model and it is designed to view the mental state of an individual and his/her relationship to their social environment and interactions as well as the chemical and or genetic associations. The second area of study is called the

Continuum and it relates to a patient’s mental state and his/her ability to apply or deny faith, sound thought, and reasoning into their healing process. The third area of study is regarding the direct and indirect manner in which a person lives and experiences his/her life. The patient’s thought process triggers certain responses in their mind, which then has an impact on their physical body. Therefore, when a person allows him or herself to engage in positive thoughts and behaviors their body tends to react more favorably. Consequently, the opposite true when a

Fatima 2 person has negative thoughts and participates in risky behaviors. Lastly, is Biomedicine and its focus on Variability. This area a study shows how two people diagnosed with the same

Medical professional can only help assess a patient's condition if the patient cooperates. If Fatima was being seen regularly by her physician they may have been able to foresee the warning signs of any approaching illness/es and acted appropriately to prevent the onset of the disease.

While we were not provided any information about Fatima’s weight, height, long term medical issues, or medical issues present in her lineage I believe that it is safe to assume that her current state of health is poor. Therefore, my argument is that Fatima’s failing health is directly related to her limited income, poor eating habits, and fatigue. Her inability to eat well-balanced meals contributes to the dis-ease that is attacking her body. If she does not find a suitable resolution for eating healthier well-balanced meals and paying for proper medical care, she will in fact further exasperate the issues related to her diagnosis.

On the onset of receiving her case, I noticed several important factors: Fatima is described as a young mother, gainfully employed, and raising her two young children. Therefore, despite the apparent hardships that Fatima is facing, she realizes that she is responsible