Publisher's Synopsis
Research has shown that up to 60% of visits to physicians are caused by underlying mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and stress. With the billions of dollars these visits represent in health care dollars, there is a huge potential, and need, for health psychologists to take a larger role in health care settings. Written by the top practitioners and researchers in the field, "Health Psychology Through the Life Span" explores the vast array of critical services that health psychologists can provide in both the practice and research arenas. Chapters summarise research results that show the positive health benefits of behavioural treatments, outline specific behavioural approaches to various health problems, and describe collaborative practices, both formal and informal, that physicians and psychologists can establish. Throughout, areas where there is a critical need for research, and descriptions of how this research can shape patient care, are described.;This book should be of interest to practitioners and researchers in health psychology - both those already in the field and those interested in entering this expanding area. Graduate students in particular should find an array of opportunities and descriptions of the exciting and fulfilling work that can be done in health psychology.
