Which behaviour patterns are detrimental to health? Why do people engage in such behaviour even if they know about its negative effects? How can people be influenced to change their behaviour? What do we mean by stressful life events and which mechanisms mediate their impact on health? The second edition of this highly successful textbook has been extensively revised. Much new material has been added based on new research which has been done in the last five years, in particular drawing on the author's own research into obesity and sexual risk behaviour. Many of the epidemiological examples and more than a third of the references have been updated. It is essentially a new book which will make an important contribution to the literature. "Social Psychology and Health" discusses major topics of health psychology from a social psychological perspective. This approach reflects the significant changes which have taken place in conceptions of health and illness during recent decades and the move away from purely biomedical models of illness.
In line with this broadening perspective, health psychology has become a dominant force in the health sciences, a field to which social psychological theory and research has much to offer. The book addresses two major factors detrimental to health and well-being, namely health-impairing behaviours and stressful life events, and argues for an integrative approach that combines psychological, economic and environmental interventions to reduce behavioural risk factors. This is a key textbook for second and third year undergraduate courses and for postgraduate courses in social and health psychology. It will be useful for students of health and social welfare and it should provide an essential reference for health professionals.