What Health Psychology Studies

This lesson introduces health psychology as the study of how thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and social contexts influence health, illness, and recovery. It sets the scope of the field by showing how health psychology goes beyond medical treatment alone to examine prevention, adherence, stress, coping, communication, and everyday decision-making.

By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to explain what health psychology studies, distinguish it from related disciplines, and recognise why behaviour and context matter for real-world health outcomes.