Learning Objectives

After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

1. Describe the domain of health psychology, and the significance of the biopsychosocial model.
2. Define stress and stressors.
3. Distinguish between the stress that arises from life changes, including life events and posttraumatic stress disorder, and daily hassles, including what prospective studies of daily hassles tell us.
4. Describe the biopsychological approach to stress and illness, including the important features of the general adaptation syndrome.
5. Explain what is known about the relationship between stress and noninfectious diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer, stressing the characteristics, effects, and development of Type A behavior.
6. Explain the relationship between stress and infectious diseases, explain how studies in psychoneuroimmunology add to our knowledge about that relationship, and discuss the possibility of conditioning the immune response.
7. List and describe six factors that modulate our reactions to stress.
8. List and describe three approaches to coping with stress.
9. Summarize what is known about those who engage in health-promoting habits.
10. Summarize what is known about the spread of HIV and AIDS, then explain how safe sex may be promoted.
11. Explain the beneficial effects of exercise and issues surrounding the adherence to an exercise program.
12. Explain the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and body weight, the effect of cultural influences, and approaches to weight control.
13. Summarize the effects of smoking, and explain how tobacco use may be prevented and treated.