Influence Of Health Psychology

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Psychology, specifically health psychology, has played and increasingly important role in understanding health and illness. Health Psychology is an area that focuses on how biological, social and psychological factors influence health and illness. In saying this it is also devoted to understanding psychological influences on how individuals are to maintain their health, why they may become ill, and how they should respond upon becoming ill. There have been a number of health theories that derive from social-cognitive theories, which have been proposed to explain why people engage in health-compromising behaviors. The theories of behavior include the health belief model, the protection motivation theory of health, the theory of reasoned action and the theory of planned behavior. Through unfortunate circumstances, Tom has been in a life changing accident that has not only affected him severely however it has left a tremendously negative impact on his family, particularly his wife Suzie.

Before the motor vehicle accident, which resulted in Tom having to spend four weeks in intensive care with a number of physical damage as well as damage to his left temporal lobe, he and his wife Suzie had an argument about wanting a divorce. This culminated to Tom going to a local pub, drinking excessively, then drink driving which led to the accident. Consequently the damage to Tom’s brain resulted in difficulty with executive functioning such as planning and working memory; as well as regulation such as emotional regulation. On this account anything Tom was told before the accident including the divorce he has no recollection of. Additionally, the accident has also resulted in a ‘personality change’ in Tom, thus putting pressure on Suzie, as sh...

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...es. Another source of support Suzie can look towards is a social worker. The social worker may both assist and improve Suzie’s wellbeing individually as well as including the family in case services to maintain distress and help their relationships. Through professional supports, Suzie will be able to address her health compromising behaviors and barriers that may be effecting her that will enable her to change negative behaviors and start living a happy and healthy life with whatever the decision she makes.

To conclude, through a number of health-compromising behaviors and barriers, Suzie is finding the situation with her husband Tom very distressing. It is important to note however that in an effort to cope, Suzie must identify coping mechanisms and supports, that will not only benefit herself, but benefit the lives of her children as well as her husband Tom.

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