Author/Authors :
Delshad Noghabi ، Ali Department of Psychology - School of Psychology - Islamic Azad University, Torbat-e Jam , Bayazi ، Mohammad Hossein Department of Community Mental Health Nursing - School of Nursing Midwifery - Gonabad University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Dear Chief in Editor, Health psychology is define as studying psychological and behavioral processes in health, illness and healthcare. It contributes to the understanding of psychological, behavioral and cultural factors role in physical health and illness. Psychological factors can affect health directly. For example health is hurt by the chronically occurring environmental stressors which cumulatively affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. On the other hand, a person s health is also interwoven with the behavioral factors. For instance, certain behaviors, including smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can, over time, harm health but exercise and diet low in saturated fat can enhance health. A biopsychosocial approach is becoming the cornerstone among the Health psychologists. According to health psychologists, health is the product of not only biological processes (e.g., a virus, tumor, etc.) but also the product of psychological (e.g., thoughts and beliefs), behavioral (e.g., habits) and social processes (e.g., socioeconomic status and ethnicity).