PSYC 3390 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Coronary Artery Disease, Natural Killer Cell, Allostatic Load

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3390
• Professor: Mary Manson

Document Summary

Behavioural medicine is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the role that psychological factos play in the occurrence, maintenance and prevention of medical problems. Health psychology is a psychological subspecialty within behavioural medicine it contributes to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of psychological components of medical problems. Issues include: psychological factors that may predispose an individual to physical illness like critical life events, particular types of behaviour and personality. The ways where stress can be reduced or buffered by personal resources by means of coping styles, social supports and certain personality traits. The biological mechnisms by which human physiology is altered by stressors, particularly those arising from maladaptive behaviour and the effects of stress on the immune, endocrine, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. The processes involved in the choices people make with respect to hazardous lifestyles, healthcare decisions, and adherence to preventive regimens.