Health psychology students will need to understand how to evaluate and critically-appraise the latest theory and research before it can be applied. This fully-revised and updated Fifth Edition takes a critical approach and places health psychology in a real-world context, enabling students to understand how public policy, theory and research can influence communities and individuals alike. The new Fifth Edition includes: 9 new and expanded chapters Updated material on stress and coping, doctor-patient communication, death, dying, bereavement and quality of life Introductions to the social, political and economic conditions that influence our health Breadth of coverage from social inequality through to chronic illness and screening This book also comes with access to fantastic online resources including multiple choice quizzes, case studies, test banks and slides that can be easily integrated into your institution's virtual learning environment or learning management system. This allows you to customize and curate content for use in module preparation, delivery and assessment. For instructions on how to upload the resources you want, please visit the Instructors' page or alternatively, contact your local SAGE sales representative.

Author Biography

DAVID F. MARKS was born in Petersfield, England and lives in Provence, France. David graduated from the University of Reading and completed his PhD in mathematical psychology at the University of Sheffield. He held positions at the University of Otago, New Zealand and at University College London. He served as Head of the School of Psychology at Middlesex Polytechnic, and as Head of the Department of Psychology at City, University of London, UK. As a Visiting Professor, he carried out research in the Department of Neurosurgery at Hamamatsu School of Medicine and at the Department of Psychology, at Kyushu University, in Japan, at the Universities of Oregon and Washington, in the USA, and taught health psychology at the University of Cambridge, UK, and Tromso, in Norway. In addition to five previous editions of this book, David has published 25 books including: The Psychology of the Psychic (1980, with R. Kammann), Theories of Image Formation (1986), Imagery: Current Developments (1990, with J.T.E. Richardson and P. Hampson), The Quit For Life Programme: An Easier Way to Stop Smoking and Not Start Again (1993), Improving the Health of the Nation (1996, with C. Francome), Dealing with Dementia: Recent European Research (2000, with C.M. Sykes), The Psychology of the Psychic (revised edition, 2000), The Health Psychology Reader (2002), Research Methods for Clinical and Health Psychology (2004, with L. Yardley), Overcoming Your Smoking Habit (2005), Obesity: Comfort vs. Discontent (2016), Stop Smoking Now (2017), A General Theory of Behaviour (2018) and The Psychology of the Paranormal: Exploring Anomalous Experience (2020). MICHAEL MURRAY is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Keele University, UK, where he was Head of the School of Psychology. Previously, he was Professor of Social and Health Psychology at Memorial University, Canada, and held positions at St Thomas' Hospital Medical School, London, UK and at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. He has published over 200 books, chapters, journal articles and reports on various issues in social and health psychology. His previous books include Smoking Among Young Adults (1988, with L. Jarrett, A.V. Swan and R. Rumen), Qualitative Health Psychology: Theories and Methods (1999, with K. Chamberlain) and Critical Health Psychology (2004, 2015). He also edited with Kerry Chamberlain the collection New Directions in Health Psychology (Vols. 1-5) (2015) and with Liz Peel and Carol Holland Psychologies of Ageing: Theory, Research and Practice (2018). Michael has been Associate Editor of the Journal of Health Psychology and of Psychology and Health and an editorial board member of Health Psychology Open, Health Psychology Review, Psychology, Health and Medicine and Arts and Health. He was Chair of the Health Psychology Section of the Canadian Psychological Association for which he edited Canadian Health Psychologist/Psychologue Canadien de la Sante and a founding member of the International Society of Critical Health Psychology. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, the Canadian Psychological Association and the Academy of Social Sciences. In 2017 he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the British Psychological Society. His current research interests include the use of participatory and arts-based methods to promote social engagement among older people. EMEE VIDA ESTACIO is a chartered psychologist, author, speaker, life transformation and health promotion specialist. Originally from the Philippines, she completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology (magna cum laude) from the University of the Philippines, Diliman and her MSc and PhD in Health Psychology at City University London. She previously held positions at the University of East London and Keele University. Emee specialises in health promotion and community development and has facilitated action research projects in some of the most deprived areas in the UK and in the Philippines. As a scholar activist, she became actively involved in supporting activities for Oxfam, the Association for International Cancer Research, CRIBS Philippines and Save the Children UK. In addition to previous editions of this book, Emee is also the author of the "Psychology in Your Life" Book Series (2019), including titles such as "The Imposter Syndrome Remedy", "Change Your Life for Good", and "Fear is Not My Enemy". She also sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Health Psychology, Health Psychology Open, and Community, Work and Family.