Dr. Jane Irvine
253 BSB
(416) 736-5115, Extension 22444

Course Overview

This course explores the application of psychological theory and research to enhancing our understanding of health and illness. It also explores psychological issues in implementing interventions to promote healthy behaviours and to relieving suffering and illness. Topics covered include the relationship between stress and illness, the role of health beliefs, coping styles, and social factors in influencing health behaviours and physiology, social-culture factors in illness, and psychosocial factors in cardiovascular disease, cancer, AIDS, and pain. The emphasis is on a bio-psychosocial model of health and illness.