Health Psychology

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:15.00

Study Course Accepted:19.02.2024 08:47:39

Study Course Information
Course Code:		VPUPK_137		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		2.00		ECTS:		3.00
Branch of Science:		Psychology		Target Audience:		Psychology
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Zane Gulbe
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppkrsu[pnkts]lv, +37167061587
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		8	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		16
Classes (count)		8	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		16
Total Contact Hours								32
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		4	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		8
Classes (count)		4	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		8
Total Contact Hours								16
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Biological foundation of psyche.
Objective:
To develop students’ understanding of health psychology concepts, basic issues, tasks, biopsychosocial approach as a methodological basis, main principles, research directions and its integration into health care, as well as public health promotion.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Approaches of health and disease. Health psychology.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
2	Biopsychosocial model. Problem solving model.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
3	Health behaviour and health behaviour models.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
4	Personality factors and health.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
5	Stress and health.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
6	Patient education. Communication in health care. Patient compliance and factors affecting it.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
7	The concept of pain. Acute and chronic pain. Pain control techniques.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
8	Chronic diseases. Physical and sociopsychological consequences. Factors influencing the management of chronic diseases. Psychological interventions in the management of chronic diseases.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
9	Presentation of the final task			Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Approaches of health and disease. Health psychology.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
2	Biopsychosocial model. Problem solving model.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		0.50	E-Studies platform
3	Health behaviour and health behaviour models.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		0.50	E-Studies platform
4	Personality factors and health.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
5	Stress and health.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		0.50	E-Studies platform
6	Patient education. Communication in health care. Patient compliance and factors affecting it.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		0.50	E-Studies platform
7	The concept of pain. Acute and chronic pain. Pain control techniques.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		0.50	E-Studies platform
8	Chronic diseases. Physical and sociopsychological consequences. Factors influencing the management of chronic diseases. Psychological interventions in the management of chronic diseases.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		0.50	E-Studies platform
9	Presentation of the final task			Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Final work in small groups (3 students) - Evaluation of one's own or someone else's (e.g. client's) health behavior: - choose an actual health behavior change; - make a description of the case / situation; - evaluate health according to the Biopsychosocial model - both etiology and consequences; - define the problem; - formulate the goal of changing health behavior according to the SMART scheme (consistent with the problem); - evaluate the change of the chosen health behavior from the perspective of the Transtheoretical Model - provide justification and offer 1 intervention within each stage; - provide conclusions / group self-reflection on the work; - provide individual self-reflection in writing (up to 2 pages). In e-studies, submit (upload) the presentation of the final thesis and the individual work and to present in the final lesson.
Assessment Criteria:
Study course evaluation criteria: - attendance (10%); - examination tests after each topic (30%); - final work - defense in small groups (presentation 10-12 min) and individual work (self-reflection) (written up to 2 pages) (60%). In e-studies, the presentation of the final thesis and the individual work (self-reflection) have been submitted at the specified time (delays in submission will be taken into account when posting the final assessment). I would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is a mandatory requirement to provide a study course evaluation/feedback at the end of the study course on the e-study platform! Please introduce yourself with the guidelines for Artificial Intelligence in the study process: https://www.rsu.lv/maksligais-intelekts-augstakaja-izglitiba
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Name and describe the goals, tasks, basic methodological principles, sub-sectors, current issues, approaches of health psychology. Describe the connection of stress and personality factors with health. Characterise the difference between acute and chronic pain and pain control techniques. Formulate the differences between health behaviour patterns and name their components. Describe communication styles between doctors and patients and their impact on health behaviour. Describe the physical and sociopsychological consequences of chronic diseases, as well as the factors that influence the management of chronic diseases.
Skills:		Apply knowledge to describe the biopsychosocial aspects of specific research / problems / tasks / situations. Apply theories and models of health behaviour to characterise specific phenomena (e.g., compliance, medication use, lifestyle change, preventive examination) and to interpret health behaviour. Analyse the impact of different communication styles on health behaviour. Analyse stress management strategies and their relationship to health.
Competencies:		Separate / distinguish between clinical, public, critical, community and occupational health approaches and select the most appropriate approach to a particular health psychology problem. Link the goals and tasks of health psychology with current health psychology problems / public health issues. Use a biopsychosocial approach, evaluating the phenomena of health psychology, psychological problems of specific clients / groups.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Mārtinsone, K., Sudraba, V. (zin.red.). (2019). Veselības psiholoģija. Teorijas un prakses starpdisciplinārā perspektīva. RSU izdevniecība.
2	Mārtinsone K., Sudraba V. (red.). (2016). Veselības psiholoģija. Kolektīvajā monogrāfijā. RSU izdevniecība.
3	Ayers, S., de Visser, R. (2017). Psychology for Medicine and Healthcare (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
4	Ogden, J. (2012). Health Psychology: A Textbook (5th ed.). Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.
5	Sarafino, E. P., & Smith, T. W. (2014). Health Psychology: Biopsychosocial Interactions (7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Additional Reading
1	Mārtinsone, K., Freimane, G. (2019). Veselības psiholoģija – psiholoģijas zinātnes apakšnozare un profesionālās darbības joma. RSU izdevniecība.
2	Mārtinsone, K., Girgensone, B. (zin.red.). (2018). Psihologu profesionālā darbība Latvijā: saturs, organizācija, regulējums. Psihologu likuma komentāri. Tiesu namu aģentūra.
3	Ashley, S. C. (2013). Health Psychology. Hoboken, N. J.
4	Stokenberga, I., Freimane, G., Sudraba, V. un Bite, I. (2015). Veselība un slimība psiholoģijā. No Mārtinsone, K. un Miltuze, A. (red.). Psiholoģija, 2.sēj. Personība, grupa, sabiedrība, kultūra, (171. – 230.lpp.). Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC.
5	Taylor, S. E. (2012). Health Psychology. New York.
6	The British Psychological Society. Health Psychology Division.
7	WHO Europe (2012). Health 2020: Policy framework and strategy.
Other Information Sources
1	Journal of Health Psychology.
2	British Journal of Health Psychology.
3	Psychology and Health.
4	Lietišķās veselības psiholoģijas blogs.