Course Contents

1 Application of psychology to the etiology, treatment, rehabilitation, care and prevention of specific medical conditions: Cardiovascular disorders: interventions, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation 2 Cancer: cancer prone personality, consequences of radiation and chemotherapy 3 Sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS 4 Head injury-I Cognitive and other psychological changes 5 Head injury-II Rehabilitation 6 Habit Disorders I- Obesity 7 Habit Disorders II- alcohol/drug abuse 8 Habit Disorders III- Smoking 9 Fertility: Psychological factors in infertility and endometriosis: Medically aided conception 10 Psychological aspects of women’s reproductive health: Menstruation, menopause 11 Hysterectomy, pregnancy and postpartum disorders 12 Behavioral pediatrics I- Sudden infant death, prematurity, and low birth weight 13 Behavioral pediatrics II- Child abuse, neglect, and failure to thrive 14 Behavioral pediatrics III- Developmental problems in behavior and language, hyperactivity, Psychological issues in advancing illness, Adjustment to dying 15 Diabetes 16 Asthma

Course Synopsis

Course Description: This course is an extension of Psy-901 (Introduction to Health Psychology I) and focuses on the application of psychology to specific medical conditions and issues of behavioral pediatrics and women’s health Objectives: The course is designed to enhance the students’ understanding of the role of psychological factors in the cause, progression and consequences of many important medical conditions with a special emphasis on intervention, rehabilitation and care. In addition a sizeable portion is devoted to health issues of women and children.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Acquire an in-depth understanding of the nature of several important medical conditions and the role of psychology in their etiology, prevention, treatment and management. 2. Understand how beliefs, behaviors and lifestyle choices are linked to habit disorders such as obesity, smoking and substance abuse. 3. Obtain a greater understanding of and sensitivity to health issues of women and children