The Influence Psychology on the Health - Essay Example

INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY ON HEALTH Introduction Health is the state at which the human body system works properly and wholesomely. This means that the psychological, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects are all taken care of and functioning in their full potential (Amico, Toro-Alfonso, Fisher, 2005). In today’s ever changing dynamic world, health care practice is being influenced by psychology (Fisher et al., 2006). Where the knowledge and practice of psychology is used in health promotion or illness prevention (Resnicow, et al., 2005). Health practitioners are now able to use the knowledge on psychology to influence the behavior of their patients and so help them avoid further risks to their health, for example smoking. Health psychology deals with understanding the relationship between biology, behavior and social context and their influence on health. Health practitioners therefore have to work on behavior change in various forums and platforms that they get. Smoking affects the society as much as it affects the individual. This is because passive smokers are also at risk of contracting respiratory diseases and lung cancer just as smokers do. The use of psychological treatments helps in the change of attitude that leads to a change in behavior. Smoking can be viewed through various preconceived notions which shape the way an individual views this behavior (Amico, Toro-Alfonso, Fisher, 2005). Psychology helps health practitioners that deal with how they promote health. An understanding of the theories that influence the behavior of an individual will determine how health practitioners lobby against smoking and legislation that will be used to regulate this industry (Kim, Kim, & Jung, 2005). This has lead cigarette packs bearing a warning labeled on its pack warning its users of the consequences and the various chemicals that were used to manufacture it. Pregnant mothers are also advised to stop smoking while pregnant and breastfeeding because these chemicals interfere with the proper development of the fetus and infants (Lander & Graham-Pole, 2008). In order to treat cigarette smoking using health psychology, one needs to understand what smoking is and the psychological factors behind why people begin to smoke and the reasons that would influence them to quit or continue smoking. Peer influence. Most smokers start doing so if their friends and colleagues are doing so, in order for them to fit in and not be left out. As young people develop, they seek to be independent and make their own choice (Fisher et al., 2006). Cigarette smoking has been used by young people who rebel against their parents, and done by adults as a leisure activity or something that they do to have fun. Smoking in this case, is done to show that they are their own unique person. Another factor is that people who live with family members who smoke, or friends who do, are more likely to smoke than those who do not (Michie et al., 2005). Smokers may be influence to start to smoke if key societal figures like celebrities, teachers, and other prominent people do it. They smoke to enumerate their heroes, or be perceived as being cool, funky, or classy (Fisher et al., 2006). Advertising is another element that contributes to individuals starting or continuing to smoke. By use of attractive and alluring messages on television, radio and outdoor adverts like billboards and posters, cigarette companies persuade people to smoke (Kim, Kim, & Jung, 2005). These encouragements attract people, who give in, purchase and smoke to test whether the information in adverts is true. Once they puff once, they get hooked and are unable to stop. Due to health beliefs, which cigarette smoking aids in lose of weight. Smokers who from one reason or another have lost weight or want when they started smoking may refuse to quit smoking. Other psychological factors that may make an individual start and refuses to stop smoking is stress (Amico, Toro-Alfonso, Fisher, 2005). Cigarette smoking is associated with calming nerves and cooling people down. People, who rely on smoking to aid and self-control, when dealing with every day’s hustles, are likely to continue smoking (Fisher et al., 2006). Many people quickly puffs to avoid reacting harshly like fight, in explosive arguments. Due to constant smoking, a habit begins and evolves to a distinct behavior. Smoking becomes part of an individual’s life routine, becoming very had to quit (Marks et al., 2005). Cigarette smoking once done over a long period of time turns into an addiction due to over reliance on the thrills of nicotine. Several theories have been formulated to explain health psychology. Psychological Theories and Their Application to Smoking Behavioral theory The focus here is on the behavioral psychology which sometimes is called a patient’s behaviorism. It implies that behavior is gotten through conditioning. If the behavior is conditioned the health practitioner’s advice will be to eliminate situations that allow them to be sick, or stimulate their systems to get sick by establishing when a response is started (Kim, Kim, & Jung, 2005). With this theory, smoking can be stopped by removing the stimulus that trigger smoking in a smoker and this reduces the conditioned response (Sharman et al., 2008). For example, if a patient smokes when they are arguing, they then can be advised to do an alternative thing like reach for a glass of water or take a walk when confronted. Thereby changing their routine of behavior, thus reducing chances when they smoke and subsequent quitting. Cognitive theory The theory encompasses two techniques which focus on changing the attitude in order to change behavior, cognitive therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. These techniques work hand in hand because the cognitive therapy changes the irrational thinking patterns and cognitive behavioral therapy changes the resulting behavior brought about by the irrational thinking patterns (Marc et al., 2007). The theory focuses on the state intrinsic being and psychological processes like solving conflicts or issues, making decisions, motivation, span of attention, memory, and how a patient thinks. It forms its basis on cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance occurs when there is a collision on one’s belief and perception (Michie et al., 2005). It happens mostly when a person behavior does not go parallel to their belief on self –identity. A health psychologist can help a smoker change their behavior; by making, the smokers weigh their own judgments, their decision to start and continue smoking, thus allowing them to make necessary and accurate choices of whether to smoke or not. A patient who views smoking as a bad thing will be able to quit easily than a smoker who does not view smoking this way. The developmental theory This theory focuses on understanding how people grow, learn, and develop. It implies that moral reasoning is influenced by the way people were brought up and that individuals tend to act or behave in a certain way if they benefit from that action or behavior (Hershey et al., 2005). A smoker will smoke if they achieve relaxation feeling even if the feeling is short lived. In addition, people are likely to evade behavior that will result to them being affected negatively or seen by the society as being bad people. A smoker whose moral reasoning is that by smoking, they will be seen and perceived as bad people are likely to stop (Michie et al., 2005). As a health practitioner, this theory is used to emphasize the negative side effects associated with cigarette smoking like getting lung cancer and other health complications like increased blood pressure (Rafferty, 2005). Humanist theory This theory addresses the goodness of individuals and not concentrating on mental issues and behavior anomalies among smokers (Fisher et al., 2006). By understanding the smoker’s ability to satisfy their basic needs like food, security, maintenance of social relationships, and acquiring their full potential, forms a basis to treating their addiction (Munro et al., 2007). Personality theory A health practitioner can help their patients adapt to anxiety well, which is classified as the major contributor to smoking (Fisher, et al, 2008). By understanding their neurotic needs, a clinician can advice their patient on how they can satisfy these needs with alternative ways other than in smoking (Weinstein & Rothman, 2005). Among neurotic needs that patients have are neurotic needs for affection and approval, restricting one’s life within certain borders, power, dominance, achievements, self-sufficiency, and perfection. Conclusion A health psychologist’s role in helping patients recover and quit smoking is very fundamental. A smoker is physically addicted to nicotine found in cigarette and once they try to stop, they will have withdrawal systems such as migraines, body shakes among other symptoms. This psychological reliance on cigarette for relaxation, suppressing emotions and calming their nerves can be stopped by changing the behavior psychologically by applying the various psychological theories. References Amico KR, Toro-Alfonso J, Fisher JD. 2005. 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