Health Promotion and Behaviour Change

Understanding the complex interplay between psychological, biological, environmental, social and political factors that influence health is a necessary skill for health psychologists. The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of a range of factors that may influence health behaviour and behaviour change. In order to appreciate the potential role for health psychology, you will be introduced to current models and values that inform health promotion practice and provide the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully design and evaluate a health-based intervention.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate the role of psychological theories and techniques in the promotion and maintenance of health; apply psychological theory to the design, development and evaluation of an intervention to modify a specific health related behaviour.

Topics covered may include:

• Mediators of health and health behaviours
• Psychological principles and techniques of behaviour change
• Health promotion theory, models & approaches
• Health Promotion in context
• Design and evaluation of health promotion campaigns.