1. Contributions of Health Psychology to Psychology

Health psychology bridges the gap between psychology and medicine. It examines the psychological factors that influence health and illness, including how people perceive, experience, and respond to illness. Its contributions to psychology include:

• Understanding the mind-body connection: It explores the psychological factors that influence physical health outcomes.
• Developing health promotion interventions: It creates programs to encourage healthy behaviors and prevent disease.
• Improving patient care: It helps healthcare providers understand patients’ psychological needs and improve communication.
• Informing public health policies: It provides data and insights to shape health policies that promote well-being.

2. Stress Defined

Stress is a physiological and psychological response to perceived demands that exceed an individual’s resources or coping mechanisms. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).

3. Sources of Stress

• Daily hassles: Minor annoyances or irritations that occur regularly (e.g., traffic, work deadlines).
• Life changes: Major life events (e.g., marriage, divorce, job loss) that require adjustment.
• Conflict: Incompatible goals or desires that create tension (e.g., interpersonal conflict, role conflict).
• Irrational beliefs: Negative thought patterns that magnify stress (e.g., catastrophizing, overgeneralization).
• Type A personality: A behavior pattern characterized by competitiveness, time urgency, and hostility.

4. Moderators of Stress

• Self-efficacy: Belief in one’s ability to cope with stress, which can buffer its effects.
• Hardiness: A personality trait characterized by commitment, control, and challenge, which helps individuals manage stress.
• Sense of humor: The ability to find amusement in difficult situations, which can reduce stress.
• Social support: The presence of supportive relationships that provide emotional and practical assistance.

5. Impact of Stress on the Body

• General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): A three-stage physiological response to stress (alarm, resistance, exhaustion).
• Immune System: Stress can suppress the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illness.

6. Psychology and Health

• Headaches: Stress and anxiety can trigger tension headaches and migraines.
• Cardiovascular Disease: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
• Cancer: Stress can influence the progression of cancer and impact treatment outcomes.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections: Stress can impact decision-making and risk-taking behaviors related to STIs.

7. Prevention Measures

• Headaches: Stress management techniques, relaxation exercises, and regular sleep.
• Cardiovascular Disease: Healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and smoking cessation.
• Cancer: Early detection, healthy lifestyle, and stress management.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections: Safe sex practices, education, and early testing.

8. Functions of Emotion and Yerkes-Dodson Law

Emotions serve adaptive functions, including communication, motivation, and decision-making. The Yerkes-Dodson Law suggests that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance. Too little or too much arousal can impair performance.

9. Type A and Type B Personalities

• Type A: Competitive, time-urgent, impatient, and hostile.
• Type B: Relaxed, easygoing, and patient.

Research has linked Type A behavior, particularly hostility, to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship is complex and influenced by other factors.