An Introduction to Health Psychology

An Introduction to Health Psychology, second edition provides a stimulating and thorough introduction to the field, helping you to understand how biology, behavior, and social context influence health and illness.  The text builds on the success of the first edition and has been thoroughly revised to incorporate the latest research findings including expanded coverage on topics such as death, dying and loss, ageing and lifespan and positive psychology. 

Substantially revised chapters include ‘The Body in Health and Illness’ and ‘Pain’.  Chapters include valuable pedagogical features such as ‘What do YOU think?’ boxes, issues boxes, examples of illnesses, new case studies, greater inclusion of cross-cultural issues and policy information, and recommended readings.  The text is supported by a companion website which has been significantly extended, and is an invaluable resource which provides you with a useful self-testing facility, flash cards to aid revision and up-to-date weblinks; the website can be accessed by visiting: www.pearsoned.co.uk/morrison  

An Introduction to Health Psychology, second edition is ideal for students taking a module in health psychology or studying in related fields such as health and social care or nursing.

"Thoroughly revised and updated to provide an excellent, in-depth coverage of a wide range of topics within health psychology. The book is accessible and engaging and well grounded in theory and practice. It is highly recommended."

Dr. Gail Kinman, University of Bedfordshire

An Introduction to Health Psychology, second edition provides a comprehensive and lively introduction to the field. 

Retaining the highly praised approach of the first edition, each chapter outlines and describes the theory and research before moving on to explore applications and intervention practice.  Describing, predicting, and then intervening are primary goals of health psychologists and this book reflects this process.

The new edition has been thoroughly updated to include topics such as death, dying and loss, aging and lifespan, positive psychology and a wider range of cross-cultural issues and policy information.

Core topics and current debates are supported by many useful pedagogical features to aid learning such as a research focus, an applications box and new case studies. 

Further key features include:

• Substantially revised chapters on The Body in Health and Illness and Pain
• An extended final chapter on Futures: including global comparisons and careers – ideal for students at level three and on postgraduate courses
• More personal case studies, What do YOU think? boxes, issues boxes, and examples of illnesses
• Expanded coverage of topics such as death, dying and loss, ageing and lifespan and greater inclusion of cross-cultural issues and policy information.
• Even greater reference to cutting-edge research material in key reading, references and research focus boxes

A significantly extended companion website accompanies this book at www.pearsoned.co.uk/morrison  This provides a useful self-testing facility, flash cards to aid revision and up-to-date web links

An introduction to Health Psychology, second edition is ideal for students taking a module in health psychology or studying in related fields such as health and social care or nursing.

Val Morrison is a Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology, and a chartered health psychologist, based at the University of Wales, Bangor. She has taught health psychology since 1992, whilst maintaining a vibrant research group investigating psychosocial predictors of patient and carer outcomes of chronic disease and cancer.

Paul Bennett is research Professor in the Nursing, Health and Social Research Centre at the University of Cardiff. He has published several books on health and clinical psychology as well as over 100 academic papers and chapters.

 “The new edition provides updated and expanded content and includes a wealth of in-text pedagogic features, helping students appreciate the ‘real-world’ applications and implications of issues and theories covered by the book.”

Dr Richard Trigg, Nottingham Trent University

"Up-to-date, highly readable and useful not only in the UK but also in mainland Europe. Several tools, including the research highlights and spotlight boxes invite students to critically reflect on the material while at the same time making the book easily accessible."

Professor Adelita Ranchor, University Medical Center Groningen