Course description - Learning outcomes

Course Description: This is an introductory course in the field of Health Psychology.
Health Psychology refers to the study of the psychological processes involved in the promotion and maintenance of health and dealing with health problems. This course aims in presenting relevant topics, including the concept of health and illness, the biopsychosocial model of health, health-related behaviours, theory and practice of health promotion, and adaptation to chronic illness.

Course outline and topics:
1. Health; Health Psychology; the biopsychosocial model
2. Cultural issues and health
3. Social environment and health
4. Health related behaviours
5. Socio-cognitive models relevant to health behaviour
6. Biobehavioral factors and health (from personality to emotions end stress)
7. Basic aspects of health promotion
8. Adaptation to chronic illness and its impact
9. The health care system and the role of health psychologists

Course Goals/ Expectations/Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives: At the end of the course, students are expected to
. have understood the interdependence of the biological, psychological and social factors in health and illness
. have understood the psychological processes that are involved in health and illness
. have acknowledged the importance of the multidisciplinary collaboration
. have acknowledged the importance of the link between theory and practice
. have been familiarized to the ways intervention programmes can be implemented