Understanding Chronic Health
Understanding Chronic Health: Psychological Insights
(Understanding Chronic Health)
Chronic health conditions not only affect the body but also deeply influence psychological well-being. Individuals coping with chronic illness often experience a range of emotions, including anxiety, depression, and frustration. The uncertainty of their condition, limitations on daily activities, and the impact on relationships can lead to feelings of isolation and helplessness.
Furthermore, the psychological effects of chronic illness can exacerbate physical symptoms through stress-induced responses. Conversely, positive psychological factors like resilience, coping skills, and social support can mitigate the impact of chronic conditions on mental health.
Understanding these psychological insights is crucial for comprehensive healthcare approaches. Integrating mental health support into chronic illness management can improve patients’ quality of life and treatment outcomes. This entails addressing not only physical symptoms but also providing emotional support, coping strategies, and resources for managing stress. By acknowledging and addressing the psychological aspects of chronic health, healthcare professionals can better support individuals in navigating the complexities of their conditions and enhance their overall well-being.
The purpose of this assignment is to examine the research literature in Health Psychology and how this is applied to chronic health issues.
Choose a chronic health issue individuals experience (e.g. diabetes, fibromyalgia, asthma, addiction) that is often seen by health psychologists.
Write a 1,250-1,500-word essay that addresses the following:
a) What problems are often experienced by individuals and their families as a result of this illness (e.g. anxiety, depression, stigma, stress, non-adherence)?
b) How can psychological theory be applied to describe the source of the problem and to treat the issue for the individual?
i) You may choose the psychological theory/theories you wish to apply (e.g. stress theories, adherence theories, health promotion theories, and social norms theories, as long as they are discussed in the literature).
c) What issues are discussed in the literature regarding this health issue? What research is currently being examined on the topic?
d) How can health psychology/health psychologists aid individuals, families, and/or communities in coping with the illness?
Utilize a minimum of six outside scholarly sources (peer-reviewed journal articles obtained from the GCU library). Certain websites (e.g. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Psychological Association) may be used in addition to the six peer-reviewed journal articles.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
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