Assignment 1

Scope and Responsibilities of Health Psychologist

Submitted to: Miss Rameesha Arif

Submitted by: Emania Fatima Adan

Roll No.: F19BPSY070

Major course: Health Psychology

Section: 8 (A)

Submission Date: February 6, 2023

Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore.

Introduction

Health psychology is the area of psychology in which it focuses on how different factors such as

biological, social and psychological factors influence a person’s health and illnesses. The job of

health psychologist is to analyze the impact of behavior on health, to develop different strategies

to assist individuals in decision making that promotes wellness. They conduct different

researches and have an influence on health care policy. There are different areas where health

psychologists are needed such as:

Clinical area

In this setting, behavioral assessments and clinical interviews are done. Other activities that are

done are participating in interventions in groups and individually. These interventions include

giving training to people about stress management and how to avoid unhealthy behaviors.

Research area

Researches are conducted by health psychologists on various health issues. They focus on health

problems, preventive measures, how to cope with the illness, etc.

Public policy area

Health psychologists also work in government sector where they address discrimination in health

care.

Scope in Pakistan

This field is growing rapidly because as the mental illnesses and diseases are increasing so is the

need of health psychologists. The scope of health psychology is at a rise in Pakistan. The huge

demand of health psychologists in Pakistan is to spread awareness and to educate people about
the diseases. Many job opportunities are rising in Pakistan for health psychologists. They are

required at community level for people facing addiction to drugs. They provide better health

facilities to give better outcomes. In clinical settings, they work towards rehabilitation and

prevention of illnesses. A health psychologist doing research are to give findings on how to

maintain balance in health. Occupational health psychologists give counselling to employees so

they can handle stress in a better way and to work more efficiently (Irshad, 2022) . These are

some of the areas where awareness of health psychology is increasing and they are required in a

very high demand.

Responsibilities

At community level

A wide range of efforts are made to provide awareness about major issues like depression,

hypertension, etc. One of the prime examples is about COVID-19. Health psychologist played a

major role in spreading awareness about the disease and the need to follow covid instructions of

wearing masks, using sanitizer, social distancing and to get vaccinated. The efforts made were

helpful later on to control the spread of the virus.

At public level

There are two aspects of the performance of health psychologist at public level. One of them is to

collect and analyze data and later interpret it to provide the information to government and other

agencies. Other aspect is to design prevention programs for the people such as quitting smoking,

drug abuse programs, etc. one important aspect is of critical importance, it talks about economic,

social and political factors. They try to remove the stigma that is created by caste, poverty and

religion, so best treatment is provided to people to treat their illnesses.

In clinical setting

Health psychologists in these settings’ focus on mental and physical health of people. A balance

is achieved when both mental and physical health are kept in check.

Conclusion

All the information reflects the fundamental importance of health psychology. Health

psychologists cover all the social, biological and behavioral aspects to describe the illness. they

help people to live a healthier life.

 References

Health psychologist: Role and responsibilities (2022) TutorialsPoint. TutorialsPoint.

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/health-psychologist-role-and-responsibilities#

Irshad, N. (2022) Scope of Health Psychology in Pakistan, Academia.

https://academiamag.com/scope-of-health-psychology-in-pakistan/#:~:text=Health

%20psychologists%20help%20to%20improve,how%20to%20prevent%20unhealthy

%20behaviours

Pursuing a career in Health Psychology (2014). American Psychological Association. American

Psychological Association.

https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/health/education-training