Author Description

This text takes a biopsychosocial approach to three inrelated themes: the intimate interconnection of psychological and behavioural processes with physical health; coping and adaptation; and interpersonal relationships in health and health care. These themes are developed in six sections that address specific areas within health psychology. These include: a theoretical and methodological introduction to health psychology; research and theory on the role of behaviour in health and staying healthy; the effects of stress; understanding and coping with illness; death and dying; and the application of health psychology principles and research to four main health problems: AIDS, cancer, coronary heart disease and pain.