The Pyschology of Health and Well-being

Course Content:

The module will engage students with the main themes of contemporary health
psychology and positive psychology with a particular focus on theory, research,
intervention, and application.

The students will gain an understanding of the importance of psychological processes in
the experience of health and illness, and explore the role of behaviour and emotion in
current trends of mortality and morbidity. In addition, students will gain an
understanding of the role of positive emotions, optimism, spirituality, flourishing
relationships, and community engagement in promoting health, well-being, and
happiness.

They will also become aware of the crucial roles health psychology and positive
psychology have to play in the development and evaluation of physical and psychological
health promotion interventions.

Autumn Semester summary:
? Predicting Health Behaviours: socio-cognitive models
? Eating and Obesity
? Changing Health behaviours: persuasion and motivation
? Designing Health Interventions
? Illness cognition
? Addictive behaviours: smoking, alcohol and drug use
? Stress and coping
? Screening behaviours

Spring Semester summary:
? Ethnicity and Access to healthcare
? Doctor-patient communication & Adherence
? Preparation and recovery from surgery
? Cost of Caring
? Death and Dying
? Positive Psychology
? Subjective well-being and happiness
? Human strengths & resilience
? Mindfulness and Flow
? Positive psychology interventions

Teaching: 2-hour weekly interactive lectures

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
Portfolio of coursework:
? 1,500-word Individual Research Proposal (50%)
? 1,500-word essay (50%)
STUDY OPTION 2: 1500-word Individual Research Proposal (100%)
STUDY OPTION 3: 1,500-word essay (100%)

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer