Clinical Psychology

Training Issues

Other Challenges

BOX17-4:Clinical Psychologist Perspective:

Beth E. Meyerowitz, Ph.D.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

I

t seems that everyone realizes now that lifestyle

affects our health and sense of well-being. Most

health problems in the United States are related to

chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, cancer, and

stroke), and these diseases are often associated

with behavior or lifestyle choices (e.g., smoking

or overeating) made by individuals (Brannon &

Feist, 2010). Over the last 50 years, the costs of

medical care have skyrocketed to more than 16%

of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the United

States (Pleis, Ward, & Lucas, 2010). The potential

financial burden associated with health problems

has led many to reevaluate their lifestyles and

behavior. There has also been a shift in perception.

Health has become associated with positive well-

being rather than simply the absence of disease

(Brannon & Feist, 2010). These trends, as well as

others, have led Americans to focus much more

intensely on behaviors and lifestyles that promote

health and prevent disease.

Psychology, as a science of behavior, has much

to contribute to the field of health, and health psy-

chology has become a fast-growing area within

clinical psychology. Many clinical doctoral pro-

grams have a“track”or emphasis dedicated specifi-

cally to clinical health psychology and/or pediatric

psychology (also known as child health psychol-

ogy). General textbooks on health psychology are

now prevalent, as are specialized textbooks on clin-

ical health psychology, women and health, and

pediatric health psychology. In addition, several

specialty journals (includingHealth Psychology, Jour-

nal of Behavioral Medicine, and theJournal of Pediatric

Psychology) report on research in these fields. Finally,

two separate divisions of the American Psychologi-

cal Association (Divisions 38, Health Psychology,

and Division 54, Pediatric Psychology) have been

established as a way to publicize and advance the

contributions of health psychologists in adults and

youth, respectively.

HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVES

Although a variety of overlapping subdisciplines

focus on health-related issues, we will focus primar-

ily on two areas of psychology: behavioral medicine

and health psychology. Recognition that mind and

body are inextricably linked has been around since

at least early Greek civilization. However, it was

not until the late 1970s that definitions of behav-

ioral medicine and health psychology began to

crystallize.

Definitions

Although a variety of definitions have been offered

over the years (e.g., Miller, 1983; Schwartz &

Weiss, 1977),behavioral medicinebasically refers to

the integration of the behavioral sciences with the

practice and science of medicine. Matarazzo (1980)

uses the term to refer to the broad interdisciplinary

field of scientific investigation, education, and prac-

tice that is concerned with health, illness, and

related physiological dysfunctions.

Health psychologyis a specialty area within psy-

chology. It is a more discipline-specific term, refer-

ring to psychology’s primary role as a science and

profession in behavioral medicine. It includes

health-related practice, research, and teaching by

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