Psychological Intervention in Health Problems

Recommended Prerequisites

Psicopatologia and Psychophysiology

Teaching Methods

Lectures, interrogative methods, discussion and research, powerpoint presentations, role-playing and simulation exercises to develop and train practical skills.

Learning Outcomes

One of the most important recent movements of cognitive-behavioral intervention has been its application in the context of health and disease. The importance of the application of the cognitive-behavioral model to physical illness has been particularly stressed.

The cognitive-behavioral approach, and its new developments (the third generation therapies), have been used successfully in several health problems and can be an ideal approach to help patients to minimize the negative psychological impact of their illness and to promote healthy behavior patterns and healthy lifestyles.

The main aim of this course is to disseminate the breakthroughs of cognitive-behavioral treatments in terms of assessment, conceptualization, intervention and research. It is also intended to provide knowledge about the application of a cognitive-behavioral approach, and its more recent developments, to specific health problems.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The syllabus consists of two main modules:

a) An introductory module on health and its promotion and on stress and coping (conceptual models and research and intervention strategies).

b) A second module on assessment, conceptualization, intervention and research on various issues related to health: to become sick and to be ill; to experience the symptoms; to have physical symptoms without an organic cause; the relationships established between meanings, emotions, behavior and disease; the psychological impact of physical illness and its treatment; eating, drinking, sleeping and tobacco-related problems. In this module issues are addressed that are related to the personal experience of specific health problems, including pain and chronic illness (asthma, diabetes, heart diseases, oncology, pediatric problems, surgery, aversive procedures and hospitalizations).

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Paula Soares Matos

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Students are to carry out research assignments that will be presented and discussed in class. These activities will be evaluated. Students are also to write a final examination.: 100.0%

Bibliography

Belar, C. D., Deardorff, W.W. & Kelly, K.E (1987). The practice of clinical health Psychology. New York: Pergamon Press.

Buceta, J.M. & Bueno, A.M. (Eds.) (1996). Tratamiento psicológico de hábitos y enfermedades. Madrid: Ediciones Pirámide.

Safran, A.A., Gonzalez, J.S & Soroudi, N. (2008). Coping with chronic illness. A cognitive-behavioral therapy approach for adherence and depression. Therapist guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Safran, A.A., Gonzalez, J.S & Soroudi, N. (2008). Coping with chronic illness. A cognitive-behavioral therapy approach for adherence and depression.Workbook. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Taylor, R.R. (2006). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic illness and disability. Chicago: Srpinger.

White, C.A. (2001). Cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic medical problems. Chichester: Wiley.

Joyce-Moniz, L. & Barros, L. (2005). Psicologia da doença para cuidados de saúde. Desenvolvimento e intervenção. Porto: Edições Asa.