Handbook of Health Psychology (Second Edition)

Considered the most comprehensive handbook in the field, this rich resource reviews the biological, psychological, and social factors that affect health, health behavior, and illness. Many chapters review the latest theories and research while others illustrate how research is translated into clinical and community interventions to improve physical health and emotional well-being. Chapters examine health behavior processes within the social contexts in which we live, including family, social, and cultural communities. The handbook cuts across concepts (behavior change), populations (women’s health), risk and protective factors (obesity) and diseases, making it appropriate for a variety of readers from various fields.

Featuring contributions from the top researchers and rising stars in the field, each author provides a theoretical foundation, evaluates the empirical evidence, and makes suggestions for future research, clinical practice, and/or policy. Novices to the field appreciate the accessibly written chapters, while seasoned professionals appreciate the book’s deep, cutting edge coverage.

Significantly updated throughout, the new edition reflects the latest approaches to health psychology today:

• greater emphasis on translating research into practice and policy
• more on the socio-cultural aspects of health including socioeconomic status, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and aging
• two new sections on risk and protective factors for disease and another on social and structural influences that affect health
• more on prevention, interventions, and treatment in the applications section
• an expansion of the bio-psycho-social model across several levels of analysis, including cultural, macro-social, and cellular factors.

The book opens with the field’s central theories, emphasizing the interaction of biological and social systems. Part II reviews the mechanisms that help explain the link between health and behavior across diseases and populations. The all new Part III focuses on variables that lead to the onset of major diseases or that are instrumental in promoting health. Part IV, also new to the second edition, highlights social and structural influences on health. The book concludes with applications of research to specific illnesses and medical conditions.

The Handbook serves as a text in graduate or upper level undergraduate courses in health psychology taught in psychology, public health, medical sociology, medicine, nursing, and other social and allied health sciences. Its cutting edge, comprehensive coverage also appeals to researchers and practitioners in these fields.

Andrew Baum was Jenkins Garrett Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) at the time of his death on November 22, 2010. Dr. Baum received multiple awards from professional organizations such as the Division of Health Psychology of APA (Early Career and Senior Investigator Awards) and the Society of Behavioral Medicine (Outstanding Service). Dr. Baum served as editor of the Journal of Applied Social Psychology and the Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research as well as associate editor of Psychological Bulletin. A past President of the APA’s Division of Health Psychology, he authored more than 250 refereed journal articles, books, book chapters, and abstracts.

Tracey A. Revenson is Professor of Psychology and Deputy Executive Officer at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Trained as a one of the first generation of health psychologists, she brings a social ecological perspective to research on stress and coping processes among individuals, couples, and families facing chronic physical illnesses. She is the author or editor of seven volumes, and was the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Women's Health: Research on Gender, Behavior and Policy. She currently serves as Associate Editor of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine and she served as President of the Division of Health Psychology of APA in 2004-2005.

Jerome Singer was Emeritus Professor, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences until his death on April 21, 2010. As Chairman of this Department from 1974-1999, he founded one of the first health psychology departments and, with Andrew Baum, one of the first health psychology doctoral programs in the U.S. Dr. Singer received numerous honors, including an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Stockholm and the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Health Psychology from the Division of Health Psychology of APA. He served as President of the Division of Health Psychology in 1981-1982.