Self-Health Assessment: Applying Health Psychology to Biopsychosocial Interactions

Health Psychology PSYC706 -Semester 2 Self-Health Assessment (40% of overall grade) Due Date: 27 September 202 1 Please submit ato turnitin by 4pm on the due date Maximum length: 3000 words This assessment will allow you to apply the course material to an issue relevant to your own health. The assignment assesses all Learning Outcomes –you will need to address all learning outcomes. This will be achieved by following the instructions below. LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic terminology, facts, principles and theories that apply to health psychology and to biopsychosocial interactions. 2. Apply principles of psychology to the formation and change of health states and health behaviours. 3. Critically analyse and evaluate psychological factors that influence the aetiology, treatment and prevention of selected chronic diseases. 4. Critically evaluate health care services and the relationship between patients/clients and health professionals. 5. Present work at an appropriate academic standard ASSIGNMENT in Brief ASSIGNMENT DETAILS In order to identify the most suitable physical health condition you might consider constructing a brief health genealogy (health history of past and present family members) and then detailing some of your relevant health-promoting or compromising behaviours (e.g., mindfulness, mood, wellbeing practices, exercise, diet, smoking, alcohol, drug use etc.). This approach will help you clarify the condition that is best to focus on, but you do not need to report itin detail –rather simply outline the rationale for your choice. Analyses Once you have identified the physical health condition, you should undertake acritical review of the relevant literature, clarifying the biological, behavioural/psychological and social risk factors that are relevant. Be sure to refer to original research to develop aclear understanding of the  Identify aphysical health condition that you have, or you perceive yourself as being at risk of developing –briefly outline the rationale for your choice of condition (LO1).  Describe and discuss the key biological ,psychological ,and social factors (and their interaction) relevant to the prevention , development , progression , treatment , and impacts of the condition on you (i.e., abiopsychosocial perspective) (LO2).  Evaluate your current and future engagement with health care services, and their role in managing risk and/or treatment (LO4).  Discuss the application of psychological principles to changing relevant health-related behaviours and facilitating optimal coping and/or quality of life irrespective of the presence or absence of illness (LO3).  Assessed throughout (LO5). established/hypothesised aetiology and risk of the health conditions in question and/or the benefits/costs of each behaviour involved –from both biomedical and bio-psychosocial perspectives. Consider the relationships between related health conditions, behaviours, and hypothesised biological risks involved, and consider the broader range of risks/benefits associated with each behaviour (e.g., alcohol use has broad range of biological and behavioural effects, as does exercise). With all of these issues, be sure to consider biological, psychological and social factors. Consider the barriers (and enablers) to engaging in the relevant behaviours (whether they be for example related to screening, making lifestyle changes to reduce risk or impacts, or modifying perceived stress or coping styles). You should consider:  How might/does psychological research and theory aid in our understanding of the highlighted risks/health states?  Consider assessing (informally) relevant issues –various scales are available –perceived stress, coping styles, alcohol use etc.  Does this understanding complement or challenge amore conventional biomedical understanding?  What issues are key to making long-standing behavioural changes to reduce the risk or impact of the risk factors you have identified, or ensure the benefits are long lasting?  What role could and should health professionals (e.g., your GP) play in your ongoing health maintenance, and does this relationship currently meet your health-related requirements?  What roles does your social group/connections/significant others have in reducing risk and/or ameliorating impacts? Conclusion:  Conclude by discussing what (if any) changes you intend on making (or should make) on the basis of your investigations.  How can you utilise psychological knowledge/theory to support some of these changes (consider behaviours, cognitions, coping styles etc.)?  What factors are likely to influence the success of any changes you intend to make?  How can principles from psychology be used to change your health-related behaviours, your current health status, your future risk of disease, and the impacts of illness on you? Ifyou feel that some aspects are too personal or sensitive, then discuss these in general terms, or simply do not include them –the scope of the assignment is up to you, but your rationale should be clear. Marking Criteria: Learning Outcome ARange BRange CRange D LO1 Asophisticated and outstanding understanding of basic terminology, facts, principles and theories that apply tohealth psychology and to biopsychosocial interactions. Aclear and confident understanding of basic terminology, facts, principles and theories that apply to health psychology and tobiopsychosocial interactions. Adequate understanding of basic terminology, facts, principles and theories that apply to health psychology and tobiopsychosocial interactions. Understanding of basic terminology, facts, principles and theories that apply to health psychology and tobiopsychosocial interactions. LO2 Asophisticated and outstanding understanding of principles of psychology tothe formation and change ofhealth states and health behaviours. Aclear and confident understanding of principles ofpsychology tothe formation and change ofhealth states and health behaviours. Adequate understanding ofprinciples of psychology tothe formation and change of health states and health behaviours. Understanding of principles ofpsychology tothe formation and change ofhealth states and health behaviours. LO3 An outstanding critical analyses and evaluation of psychological factors that influence the aetiology, treatment and prevention of selected chronic diseases. Agood critical analyses and evaluation of psychological factors that influence the aetiology, treatment and prevention of selected chronic diseases. An adequate critical analyses and evaluation ofpsychological factors that influence the aetiology, treatment and prevention of selected chronic diseases. Acritical analyses and evaluation of psychological factors that influence the aetiology, treatment and prevention of selected chronic diseases isnot demonstrated. LO4 An outstanding evaluation ofhealth care services and the relationship between patients/clients and health professionals. Agood evaluation of health care services and the relationship between patients/clients and health professionals. An outstanding evaluation ofhealth care services and the relationship between patients/clients and health professionals. Acritical analyses and evaluation ofhealth care services and the relationship between patients/clients and health professionals is not demonstrated. LO5 Present work at the appropriate academic standard. Criteria Level 5-7 ARange BRange CRange DRange Within the stated word limit (+ or –10%) Presentation Follow instructions Structure  sentences & paragraphs  flow Language  grammar  spelling  specialist terms All instructions followed Most instructions followed Some instructions followed Instructions not followed Well -structured and coherent Structured and coherent. Structure enables understanding. Structure does not enable understanding. Accurate use of language with little grammatical or spelling errors . Comprehensive understanding of specialist terms evident. Accurate use of language with few grammatical or spelling errors .Advanced understanding of specialist terms evident. Accurate use of language with some grammatical or spelling errors . Adequate evidence of understanding of specialist terms. Many grammatical or spelling errors . Inadequate use of specialist terms used with limited understanding. Sources Integrity  acknowledge ment  APA referencing format Relevance  appropriate  reputable  currency Range All sources acknowledged and referencing consistently accurate. All sources acknowledged and referencing mostly accurate. Most sources acknowledged and referencing adequate. Few sources acknowledged and referencing inadequate. All sources are relevant with evidence of breadth and depth. Where academic, all sources used are reviewed or refereed. All sources are relevant and where academic, most sources used are reviewed or refereed. Most sources are relevant and where academic, most sources are reviewed or refereed. Sources are not relevant. Extensive range of sources. Broad range of sources. Adequate range of sources. Inadequate range of sources. SELF -HEALTH ASSIGNMENT MARKING GUIDE TOTAL 50 MARKS (50% of overall grade) LEARNING OUTCOME 1 10 possible QUESTION: Identify a physical health condition that you have, or you perceive yourself as being at risk of developing – briefly outline the rationale for your choice of condition (LO1). /10 LEARNING OUTCOME 2 10 possible QUESTION: Describe and discuss the key biological , psychological ,and social factors (and their interaction) relevant to the prevention ,development ,progression ,treatment ,and impacts of the condition on you (i.e., a biopsychosocial perspective) (LO2). /10 LEARNING OUTCOME 4 10 possible QUESTION: Evaluate your current and future engagement with health care services, and their role in managing risk and/or treatment (LO4). /10 LEARNING OUTCOME 3 10 possible QUESTION: Discuss the application of psychological principles to changing relevant health-related behaviours and facilitating optimal coping and/or quality of life irrespective of the presence or absence of illness (LO3). /10 LEARNING OUTCOME 5-APPROPRIATE ACADEMIC STANDARD 10 possible QUESTION: Academic standard assessed throughout (LO5). /10 APA referencing style (in text citations and reference page)  In text citations  Reference page (at least two written references provided) 2 2 Format/layout 3 Grammar/spelling/punctuation/sentence structure 3