Health Psychology

Code:

PCS02

Acronym:

PS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Psychology

Instance: 2022/2023 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MPSIC	62	Plano de Estudos 2021	1	-	6	54	162
MTP	1	Official Curricular Structure	1	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The main goal of this course 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. 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 on the History of Health Psychology


2. Theoretical explanatory models for health behaviors


3. The importance of meaning in life and well-being in quality of life


4. Reactions to loss of functional capabilities


5. Theoretical explanatory models on psychological adjustment to chronic illness and loss of capabilities


6. Psychological intervention in specific ilnesses/issues:

- Smoking cessation

- Eating behavior and obesity

- Body image

- HIV/ Aids

- Cancer

- Spinal cord injury

- Multiple sclerosis

- Inflammatory bowel disease

- Fibromyalgia

7. Principles of action and guidelines to develop Health Promotion programs

Mandatory literature

Isabel Leal; Manual de psicologia da saúde. ISBN: 978-989-693-105-6

Comments from the literature

Specific biliografy will be provide for each matter in summary

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methods allow an understanding of the role of the psychologist in health care settings and the development of skills to critically apply Health Psychology theories and techniques. In classes, intervention skills are trained through case studies, most of them from the Outpatient Center Clinic of the FPCEUP (Health Psychology Unit). Videos are also used to model specific situations. Different evidenced-based strategies are also systematized. These skills are supported by a theoretical background, mostly provided through an expository methodology.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	108,00
Frequência das aulas	54,00
Total:	162,00

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

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 exam has a weighting of 100% of the mark. The exam requires a minimum score of 10 (0-20 scale).

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