Health Psychology

Code:

P808

Acronym:

PS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Psychology

Instance: 2014/2015 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIPSI	53	Official Curricular Structure	4	-	6	54	162
		Official Curricular Structure 2012	4	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

 

The main goal of this unit is to provide students’ competences that will allow them to structure and intervene in disease prevention and remediation, mastering psychological strategies with proven efficacy in the learned issues. In order to reach that main outcome, the students must be able to frame health psychology in the theoretical background of Psychology. This includes the history of “health revolutions” and theoretical models developed to explain the enhancement of diseases’ primary prevention as well as secondary and third prevention in case of disease manifestation. Then, they should acquire knowledge and expertise in some issues crossing a variety of diseases (e.g. pain, adhesion, and quality of life). Finally they learn about specific disease characteristics that are more prevalent in Portugal, training specific psychological intervention strategies to deal with these particular problems.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

 

At the end of this subject it is expected that students have a better understanding of the intervention at different levels: primary prevention, health promotion, and secondary and tertiary prevention in the problems / diseases most prevalent. This should be reflected in the ability to design and implement an intervention in all of these areas.

 

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Critical reflection about the history of Health Psychology

2. Deepening of theoretical models applied in the field crossing 3 types of prevention (e.g., Health belief Model, Transtheoretical model for behaviour change, Self-regulation Model of disease. Other conceptual frameworks/models to cope with illness.)

3. Cross disease main themes 

3.1 Quality of life and quality of life related to disease

3.3 Communication physician - patient

3.3 Therapeutic adhesion

3.4 Pain

4. Specific psychological interventions in disease (based upon a high Portuguese prevalence and research of academic staff):

4.1 HIV/ Aids

4.2 Oncology

4.3 Multiple sclerosis/fibromyalgia

4.4 Inflammatory bowel disease

4.5 Eating Disorders and Obesity

4.6 Cardiovascular disease

4.7 Spinal cord injury

5. Assessment and types of Intervention for Smoking cessation. The problem of relapse.

 

Mandatory literature

Guerra Marina Prista; Intervir em grupos na saúde. ISBN: 978-972-796-339-3
Amigo Vázquez Isaac; Manual de psicologia de la salud. ISBN: 84-368-1273-5
Sarafino Edward P.; Health psychology. ISBN: 0-471-69100-3
Straub Richard O.; Health psychology. ISBN: 978-0-7167-6450-2

Complementary Bibliography

Guerra Marina Prista; Sida. ISBN: 972-754-123-2
Reis, A, Lencastre,L., Guerra, M & Remor, E ; Relação entre a sintomatologia Psicopatológica, adesão ao tratamento e qualidade de vida na infecção pelo HIV e Aids, 2010
Múrias, R. & Guerra, M. P.; Cancro de Mama: Hábitos Tabágicos e sua Influência na Qualidade de Vida e Psicopatologia., Comportamento e Saúde, Manuais Universitários, Edições ISPA, 2011
Rocha. V., Guerra, M.P. & Maciel M.J. ; A Dependência Tabágica, Assertividade e Alexitimia em Doentes Cardíacos, Paidéia, 2010
Torres, S., Guerra, M. P., Lencastre, L., Roma-Torres, A., Brandão, I., Queirós, C., & Vieira, F.; Cognitive processing of emotions in anorexia nervosa, European Eating Disorders Review, 2011
Torres, S. & Guerra, M. P. (2007).; Psicologia da Saúde e Anorexia Nervosa, Psicologia da Saúde: Contextos e Áreas de Intervenção, Climepsi , 2007
Torres, S., Guerra, M. P., Vieira, F., Roma-Torres, A., & Brandão, I. ; Avaliação e intervenção orientada para as emoções na anorexia nervosa, Atualização em avaliação e tratamento das emoções. S. Paulo: Vetor Editora.

Teaching methods and learning activities

 

The methodologies used for the theoretical level include lectures supported by PowerPoint and discussion of previously suggested readings. At a practical level it is provided skills for psychological intervention through role playing, modeling and case study, mostly base upon real cases of the clinical services of the Faculty. Videos are also used to model some situations. Students also rehearse different strategies applied to a variety of diseases that have a proven efficacy at a clinical level.

 

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho escrito	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	50,00
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	53,00
Total:	163,00

Eligibility for exams

 

The presence in practical classes is mandatory (attend 75% of classes taught). According to the resolutions of the Pedagogical Board of 5th September 2012 (with information for teachers to September 27) the theoretical classes are also mandatory to attend.

 

Calculation formula of final grade

The written assignment has a weighting of 25% and the final written exam 75% (25% + 75%) of the final score. The exam requires a minimum score of 8 and the assignment 10 (0-20 values)

The exam presents case studies about which students should develop a plan of intervention theoretically grounded, establishing priority aims to be addressed in the counseling and also exemplifying strategies appropriated to the situation.

The final score is presented in a 0-20 scale (considering the two assessment components)

 

 

 

Classification improvement

Final exam (75% of the final score). It is not possible to repeat the practical component.