Author Description

Fundamentals of Health Psychology is a contributed health psychology text. This exciting volume brings together a highly distinguished, internationally respected team of authors to discuss the sub-fields of health psychology in North America. Written in an engaging and comprehensive style, the text emphasizes evidence-based approaches to health psychology. Split into three parts, Fundamentals of Health Psychology covers a wide range of topics. Part I, "Fundamentals of Health Psychology," introduces students to general areas of health psychology, such as body systems, healthcare systems, illness prevention, stress and coping, and pain. Chapters in Part II, "Health Conditions," deal explicitly with serious illness and specific health conditions including cancer, diabetes, HIV, multiple sclerosis, and renal conditions. Part III, "Special Populations," contains chapters dedicated to special populations-children and the elderly-and cross-cultural issues, a unique and significant offering as studies of issues affecting these populations are increasingly important in our diverse society. Each chapter includes "In Practice" case studies and "In Focus" boxes discussing additional topics of prevention, promotion, research, and treatment, to help students understand health psychology as it currently exists and its future directions. End-of-chapter "Critical Thought Questions" and recommended readings inspire and enhance student discussion and research.