Health Psychology

This book provides a holistic understanding of the state of health psychology in the Indian context and the types of psychological and social support and welfare that are offered and required within treatment processes for various illnesses. The book discusses why health care should be the prerogative of both the biomedical profession and health psychologists and how they work together with medical professionals to augment public health. It emphasises the shift from biomedical to biopsychosocial approach in strengthening health care outcomes. The book highlights the substantial contribution of health psychology to the Indian health care system through simple, cost-effective, indigenous, and standardised techniques that worked efficiently in the context of various diseases. It projects the emerging trends and innovative techniques in health psychology in handling challenging health care needs. This book will be of interest to students, teachers, and researchers of psychology, psychiatry, social psychology, sociology, social work and South Asian studies.