Psychological Theories in Health and Social Care Report

This report delves into the realm of health psychology, focusing on its application within health and social care settings. It commences with a comparison of various psychological theories of lifespan development, exploring their relevance to specific life stages from infancy to older age, including Erikson's and Piaget's theories. The report then examines the influence of both social and biological factors on human behavior, highlighting the significance of social roles and their impact within health and social care environments. Furthermore, it analyzes the application of psychological theories to individuals experiencing stress, behavior disturbances, and mental health disorders. The report also evaluates how psychological principles can affect behavior change and enhance the understanding of relationships in health and social care. The report draws upon a case study focusing on the implications of long working hours on nursing staff, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject.

Health Psychology for Health and
Social Care

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Compare different psychological theories of lifespan development................................1
1.2 Explain how psychological theories and concepts are related to specific life stages.......3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Explain social and biological factors that influence human behaviour............................4
2.2 Analyse the importance of social roles in the context of health and social care settings.5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Analyse the application of psychological theories to individuals experiencing elevated
levels of stress.........................................................................................................................6
3.2 Analyse how psychological theories relate to behaviour disturbance..............................7
3.3 Analyse how psychological theory informs understanding of mental health disorders...7
3.4 Evaluate the application of psychological principles to affecting behaviour change in
health and social care settings................................................................................................8
3.5 Analyse how psychological theories can enhance understanding of relationships in health
and social care........................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Health psychology refers to set of psychological and behavioural procedures in health, illness
and healthcare. It includes the psychological and emotional aspects related to a sick individual
for supporting them in order to overcome with relevant problems. It is necessary to make patient
emotionally and morally strong which impact positively on treatment outcomes (Haslam and et.
al., 2018). In context of this report, it is based on psychology for health and social & biological
determinants of human behaviour. It includes a case study of David Game College for long hours
working of nursing staff facilitate fatigue and elevated levels of stress. This assignment will
focus on comparison among various psychological theories and their specific life stages. It will
also include social & biological factors influencing human behaviour along with significance of
social roles in health and social care settings. The application of psychological theories and their
influence to analyse behaviour disturbance and mental health disorders are given below.
TASK 1
1.1 Compare different psychological theories of lifespan development.
Psychology refers to study of behaviour and mind of an individual in terms of their mental and
emotional state which reflects in their behaviour. It is consider as behavioural health discipline
which is known as key for bio psychological practice to understand the concept of health and
illness. However, psychological plays an important role to promote healthy behaviour in order to
prevent the diseases along with improving patient’s quality of life (Anisman, 2016). Psychology
is relevant to health & social care because it is favourable to understand human mind and
specific decision making, ideas, thought and emotions to promote healthy habit to improve their
health condition.
The issue of nature vs. nurture in lifespan development because nature is all about inherited
aspects which impact on development of an individual whereas nurture means external factors
contributing in development including product of exposure, life experiences in learning.
Psychological theories are useful to understand about future behaviours which facilitate
development during the life span.
Life span development stages
Infancy: This includes age from birth to 2 years when bond develops between child and their
primary care givers.
1

Childhood: It contains age of 2 to 10 years when individual become independent to learn and
doing things from their parents.
Adolescence: It includes 10 to 20 years of age which puberty marks start and person seeks their
independence.
Early adulthood: This involves 20 to 40 years of age when an individual establish their personal
and financial independence (Hewstone, 2017).
Middle age: It consist age between 40 to 65 years which is the period of involving in social and
personal responsibilities.
Older age: This includes age over 65 years that is a period of considerable adjustment to changes
in one’s life and self-perceptions.
Comparison
Erikson theory of life span development
Stages Psychosocial crisis or tasks Virtual development
Infant to 18 months Trust vs. mistrust Hope
18 months to 3 years Autonomy vs. shame/doubt Will
3 to 5 years Initiative vs. guilt Purpose
5 to 13 years Industry vs. inferiority Competency
13 to 21 years Identity vs. confusion Fidelity
21 to 39 years Intimacy vs. isolation Love
40 to 65 years Generativity vs. stagnation Care
65 years and older Integrity vs. despair Wisdom
Piaget theory of development
Stage Range of age Virtual development
Sensorimotor 0 to 2 years old It includes the development of
coordination of sense with
motor responses.
Preoperational 2 to 7 years old It consist the developing of
symbolic thinking and use of
proper syntax along with
2

developing conservation.
Concrete operational 7 to 11 years old An individual can understand
the time, quantity and space
applied.
Formal operational 11 years old and older It involves development of
theoretical, hypothetical and
counterfactual thinking.
1.2 Explain how psychological theories and concepts are related to specific life stages.
Psychological theories and concepts are related to specific life stages as it helps to understand
about developmental aspects of an individual. It is favourable to understand about different
aspects of development in every stage of life following the increment in age (Chatterjee and
Noble, 2016). However, it starts from infancy and then developing at different stages of age.
Thus, some of psychological theories relevant to particular life stages are mentioned here.
Freud theory of life span development
Oral stage: The mouth stage of baby when they can only sucking, swallowing etc.
Anal stage: It means anus that consist withholding or expelling faeces.
Phallic stage: This includes penis and clitoris when masturbation begins in adults.
Latent stage: It involves the stage of an individual when little or more sexual motivation is
present.
Genital stage: It means penis or vagina which indicates about stage of sexual intercourse.
Havighurst developmental stages
Age Range Developmental tasks
Infancy and early childhood
(0 to 5 years)
Learn to walk, use of toilet, talk and form
relations with other people.
Middle childhood
(6 to 12 years)
Learn about reading, conscience & values and
independence (Wang, 2016).
Adolescence
(13 to 17 years)
It includes establishing emotional
independence, learning skills required for
productive occupation and gender based social
3

role.
Early adulthood
(18 to 35 years)
It consist choose a life partner and make family
and take care of a home.
Middle age
(36 to 60 years)
It involves maintaining standard of living and
focusing on social responsibilities.
Later maturity
(Over 60 years old)
It includes adjusting health retirement, meeting
social obligations and loss of spouse.
The stage wise approaches are important because it is favourable to understand the behavioural
aspects of an individual which facilitate to predict about their future decisions. It includes
making an appropriate understanding about behavioural aspects of a child which area helpful to
predict later development in terms of personality, behaviour, educational attainment.
TASK 2
2.1 Explain social and biological factors that influence human behaviour.
There are different kinds of factors which are responsible for influencing human behaviour that
impact on health of an individual. It includes number of social factors such as socialisation,
family, education, culture, media, environment, effects of discrimination and social exclusion.
On the other hand, number of biological factors impact human behaviour that includes genetics,
traits, and blueprints; neuro-degenerative disorders e.g. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s. Basically, it
has been analysed that Bowlby research states that attachment of child with parents provides
security and attachment is adaptive as it improves infant’s chance of survival. Lack of early
attachment impact negatively on later behaviour as a person will not gain feel of their
responsibilities about their parents, siblings and other relatives (Smalle, Warren and Barefoot,
2016). However, lack of education, discrimination, culture & social exclusion impact negatively
on life of people because they did not get desired resources to fulfil their basic needs. It will
influence the quality of life and health of people. As per Marmot’s report 2018, it has been
evaluated that people live in poor neighbourhood in country are discriminated which create
health inequalities among citizens. It is necessary to avoid factors based for inequality to
improve health and maintain equality in the nation.
4

Conformity is effects of influencing thoughts & behaviours of others whereas obedience is social
influence to authority through which behaviour of an individual can be influenced in positive
direction in enhance their health condition. They have positive effects on healthcare settings to
facilitate desired behaviour of patient to increase their recovery. However it vital for health
professionals to understand cultural diversity as they have to work with effective cooperation of
colleagues belongs to different cultures along with dealing with patients of differentiated
cultures. It is required for them to understand this aspect in terms of norms, beliefs, religion,
verbal and no-verbal communication to analyse actual health problems to deliver appropriate as
well as equal care services for their wellbeing (Walch and et. al., 2016). Genetic endowment
predisposes people regarding several neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease,
schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease. It is required to compare identical or no-identical twins
because identical twins has exactly similar genes and characteristics including disorders which
are present in both individuals whereas, it is not necessary in non-identical twins that similar
disorder is present in them.
2.2 Analyse the importance of social roles in the context of health and social care settings.
Social roles are important to understand actions of each other which facilitate make relation
between patient and healthcare professionals. It is favourable to provide appropriate care
facilities as per actual medical needs of an individual for their wellbeing. However, social roles
includes development of social roles, concept of conformity, social context of behaviour, social
group membership, relationships (to include symbiotic interactionism) and development of self-
concept e.g. Mead and Cooley. It involves that society contribute to health & social care settings
in order to make them wellbeing. However, people live in society can motivate patient internally
which strengthen their emotional and moral factor facilitating increased recovery of an
individual.
Social role can be defined s associated behaviours, rights and beliefs of people in particular
social situation. Health belief model is helpful for healthcare professionals to predict behaviour
by considering its factors like risk susceptibility, risk severity, benefits to action, barriers to
action, self-efficacy and cues of action (Pohling and et. al., 2016). As per Parson’s 1951 sick role
theory, it is necessary to understand rights and responsibilities of ill people to deliver appropriate
care facilities to them. However, it is required to consider sick-role behaviour, perception and
interpretation of symptoms along with factor of use/misuse of health and social care services. It
5

also consist compliance with treatments, emotional adjustment to ill health and coping strategies
including user of service, survivor, organisational & institutionalisation. Lack of compliance of
medical instructions impact negatively on patients health condition which reduce goodwill of
National Health Service. Moreover, it is essential for care professionals to understand life-span
development of self-image and self-esteem to deal with mental patient. People having low self-
concept bear more risk of suffering from psychological disorder, drug addictions etc. Care
professional should motivate patient to easily heal their disease by providing benefits and
process of treatment process to assure them about their wellbeing.
TASK 3
3.1 Analyse the application of psychological theories to individuals experiencing elevated levels
of stress.
Stress can be defined as a feeling of emotional and physical tension which is generally consider
as part of life. It is observed that every person has low or high level of stress due to different
causes. In context of given case scenario, Aetiology of stress consist number of factors such as
being unhappy in own job, having heavy workload or too much responsibility, working long
hours, having poor management, unclear expectations of work, no involvement in decision
making process and risk of termination (Johnston, Benyamini and Karademas, 2016). It consist
other work place stress causes like being insecure about chance of advancement, having to give
speeches in front of colleagues and facing discrimination or harassment of work. Other life stress
causes involves death of loved one, divorce, loss of job, increased financial obligations, getting
married, moving to new home, chronic injury or illness, emotional issues, taking care of sick
person and traumatic event.
As per statistics of WHO, stress data is 77% in U.S. in which 73% experience psychological
symptoms on regular basis. The extra workload on care professionals reduces their concentration
as well as clinical outcomes by developing increased risk of drug errors or other mistakes by
them. It will increase in patient population with complicated condition with several health issues
such as high blood, pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes type 2 (Andrew, Tiggemann and
Clark, 2016). However, there are different types of strategies that can be used to manage stress
among staff such as cognitive behavioural therapy, effective management of work pressure,
healthy eating habits, and regular physical exercise and so on.
6

3.2 Analyse how psychological theories relate to behaviour disturbance.
Behavioural disturbance can be defined as a condition in which an individual’s behaviour get
disrupted due to specific cause. Aetiology of behavioural disturbance consist number of factors
such as genetic inheritance and presence of various psychological issues like attention deficit
disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, behaviours associated with addiction etc. However, theory
of mind is considered as an important social cognitive skill to analyse about mental states like
emotions, desires, beliefs and knowledge.
Considering the use of psychological theories, it has been analysed that actual mental state van
be understand by care professionals in order to establish more effective as well as efficient care
plan for welfare of an individual. It includes the association of cognitive behavioural theory
which is applicable in context of patient suffering from autism to enhance their medical
condition (Santiago-Delefosse and et. al., 2016). In respect of addictions, psychodynamic theory
and attachment theory plays an important role to understand actual situation of addicted patient
along with providing appropriate care. The psychologist prefers to use 10-point severity metric in
order to map the autistic condition of people. My work experience with patients of autistic
condition is quite challenging because it is required always remain careful while dealing with
them.
3.3 Analyse how psychological theory informs understanding of mental health disorders.
Mental health disorders are related to psychological disturbances and behavioural impairment. It
includes the situation when the ay of feeling thinking and decision making. However, there are
different kinds of psychological theories are favourable for psychologist to understand about
different mental health disorders. It involves personality theories, behavioural theories,
humanistic theory, mini theories, biological perspective theory, cognitive perspective theory and
many more. It has been analysed that these theories provide support to psychiatrist to understand
actual behaviour of patient by evaluating their thoughts, beliefs and ideas. However, it is
beneficial to deliver more effective psychological and medicinal interventions in order to
improve the mental health condition of individual.
As per given case scenario of Freda, her condition including lack of motivation and tiredness is
due to menopause, excess workload of newspaper and death of her. It is not much complicated
psychological problem but required some of dosage of serotonin to maintain patient mood in
7

appropriate manner. Meanwhile, cognitive behavioural therapy and involvement in other
activities like exercise classes are helpful to enhance the motivation in Freda’s life. However,
other mental health disorders like neurosis; psychosis including depression, schizophrenia and
eating disorders considering anorexia, bulimia requires psychological therapy and medications
for wellbeing of patient. DSM 2013 refuses to differentiate between losses of loved one and
other stressors while diagnosing about specific mental disorder. The genetics provide internal
body ability to fight with psychological issue and environmental factors also helps to stabilise the
mood of patient. Meanwhile, the personality and family support to fast recovery in mental health
conditions whereas presence of stress complicates the problem.
3.4 Evaluate the application of psychological principles to affecting behaviour change in health
and social care settings.
Psychological principles refer to factors which impact behaviour facilitating for changing it in
health and social care settings. It includes the criterion of health promotion, cognitive
dissonance, coping strategies etc. in order to change negative behaviour of patient to facilitate
their psychological wellness respectively. However, it consist number of principles such as
health promotion including various models and concepts linked to specific psychological theory.
Meanwhile, it consist effective care strategies, coping strategies and avoidance therapy like
cognitive dissonance, denial, projection, perception & compensation for loss of identity. It is
necessary to focus on advocacy policies based on normalisation theory, aggression and abuse
policies to deal with patient properly (Torremans and Fawcett, 2017).
ABC model of attitude change includes antecedent, beliefs and consequences of specific case
according to which effective strategies can be applied for welfare of an individual. It includes
effective health promotion through which care professionals can make people aware by
providing information about effective precautions and healthy habits in order to prevent
occurrence of psychological problems. However, learning and cognitive theories has an
important to understand beliefs and behaviour of citizens of specific place to organise effective
health promotion campaign and health behaviour change. Moreover, attitude must be change in
care settings to deal with different patient with patience and positive behaviour which make
patient emotionally stable. It is favourable to analyse actual problem of an individual to deliver
appropriate care services for their better health.
8

3.5 Analyse how psychological theories can enhance understanding of relationships in health and
social care.
The psychological theories are effective to improve relations in health and social care such as
between service users & families or friends, clients & care workers, team of care professionals
and service users. It is necessary to carry out more effective as well as efficient communication
with patient in order to establish mutual understanding with them to make healthy relationship.
However, it is necessary to for care professionals to make healthy relationship with mental health
patients and make them feel comfortable which impact positive on their condition. Meanwhile, it
has been analysed that work in partnership is necessary with establishing efficient cooperation
with each other and share every detail about patient to deliver potential medical facilities to
facilitate their recovery. Moreover, it is essential to consider codes of conduct and principles of
practices in terms of providing better care for appropriate health of patient.
CONCLUSION
From the above assignment, it has been concluded that heath psychology can be defined as
psychological and emotional aspects related to a sick individual for supporting them in order to
overcome with relevant problems. It includes the utilisation of various kinds of psychological
theories in order to understand the actual behaviour problems of patient in terms of delivering
effective care services. However, it consist the actual causes of stress and other mental health
disorders in respect of providing appropriate dosage of medicines and psychological therapies.
Moreover, it is favourable for care professionals to consider desired principles of practice to
provide effective care for wellbeing of service users.
9

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Haslam, C. and et. al., 2018. The new psychology of health: Unlocking the social cure.
Routledge.
Anisman, H., 2016. Health psychology. Sage.
Hewstone, M. ed., 2017. European review of social psychology (Vol. 25). Routledge.
Chatterjee, H. and Noble, G., 2016. Museums, health and well-being. Routledge.
Wang, X., 2016. Subjective well-being associated with size of social network and social support
of elderly. Journal of health psychology, 21(6), pp.1037-1042.
Smalley, K.B., Warren, J.C. and Barefoot, K.N., 2016. Differences in health risk behaviors
across understudied LGBT subgroups. Health Psychology, 35(2), p.103.
Walch, S.E. and et. al., 2016. Discrimination, internalized homophobia, and concealment in
sexual minority physical and mental health. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and
Gender Diversity, 3(1), p.37.
Pohling, R. and et. al., 2016. Work-related factors of presenteeism: The mediating role of mental
and physical health. Journal of occupational health psychology, 21(2), p.220.
Johnston, M., Benyamini, Y. and Karademas, E.C., 2016. Measurement issues in health
psychology. Assessment in health psychology, pp.320-334.
Andrew, R., Tiggemann, M. and Clark, L., 2016. Positive body image and young women’s
health: Implications for sun protection, cancer screening, weight loss and alcohol
consumption behaviours. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(1), pp.28-39.
Santiago-Delefosse, M. and et. al., 2016. Quality of qualitative research in the health sciences:
Analysis of the common criteria present in 58 assessment guidelines by expert
users. Social Science & Medicine, 148, pp.142-151.
Torremans, P. and Fawcett, J., 2017. Cheshire, North & Fawcett: Private International Law.
Oxford University Press (OUP).
10