Assignment: Health Psychology
Several trends have shaped healthcare today, including the
rise of chronic disease as the leading cause of death for adults in
industrialized nations Behavioral and lifestyle choices, as well as
psychological well-being, became a focus of treatment along with the medical
regimen for adults with chronic disease Similarly, children and adolescents
also may have to alter their behaviors and incorporate new medication and
medical procedures into their lifestyles when diagnosed with chronic diseases
Yet, children and adolescents are less likely than adults to comply with their
new behaviors, lifestyles, and medical regimens There are multiple
interventions to handle noncompliance in children and adolescents According to
the behavioral theory of adherence, both positive and negative reinforcement
can strengthen the behavior (adherence) in the desired direction in children
and adolescents, but punishment can decrease the behavior (noncompliance)
(Brannon & Feist, 2007)
Submit your Assignment by Day 7 For this Assignment, review
the media in this weekâs Learning Resources Select an illness experienced by
an adolescent in the media piece Consider similarities and differences between
child and adolescent health psychology and adult health psychology Also,
consider why noncompliance is a concern for children and adolescents Please
note that you will only view media featuring adolescents because of ethical and
legal considerations regarding the taping of younger children
The Assignment (2â3 pages)
Briefly describe the illness you selected from the media
piece
Compare the treatment and coping strategies of the child or
adolescent you selected with those of adults who might have the same illness
Explain how a health psychologist may have to work
differently with a child/adolescent with that illness from how he or she would
work with an adult with that illness
Explain why noncompliance might be a significant issue for
children and adolescents dealing with health issues
Describe one intervention that a health psychologist might
use to address the issue of noncompliance and explain why it may be effective
Support your response using the Learning Resources and other
current literature
Support your assignment with specific references to all
resources used in its preparation You are to provide a reference list for all
resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course
References
Brannon, L & Feist, J (2007) Adhering to medical
advice In M Sordi & J Alexander (Eds), Health Psychology: An
Introduction to Behavior and Health Sixth Edition (pp 71â96) Belmont, CA: Thomson