The new psychology of health - Catherine Haslam

This ground-breaking book presents a new approach to the psychology of health which suggests social ties are just as important for your health as physical factors such as diet and exercise. Pioneered by the authors over the last decade, this points to the capacity for group life -and the social identities that underpin it - to be the source of a potent 'social cure' (while sometimes also being a social curse). The New Psychology of Health provides a powerful framework for reconceptualising the psychological dimensions of a broad range of health conditions - including depression, addiction, eating disorders, brain injury, stress, trauma and resilience. It also provides the platform for an integrated analysis of an array of social factors that have a significant impact on health outcomes - including ageing, stigma and disadvantage.

Alongside reviews of current approaches to these various topics, each chapter provides an in-depth analysis of the ways in which theory and practice can be enriched by attention to social identity processes. The book also provides guidance for practitioners to help them unlock the social cure, and avoid the social curse, and thereby manage various conditions more effectively.

This is a must-have volume for service providers, practitioners, researchers and students working in a wide range of disciplines and fields including health psychology, social psychology and clinical psychology. Indeed, it will be essential reading for anyone whose goal it is to improve the health and well-being of people and communities in their care.