Health Psychology

In Health Psychology: A Biopsychosocial Approach, 7th Edition, author Richard O. Straub provides college students with a structured examination of the connections between psychological factors and physical health. The textbook applies a biopsychosocial perspective to explain how biological mechanisms, psychological states, and social context collaborate to influence physical well-being and illness.

The volume surveys essential behavioral health topics and preventive practices. Detailed chapters examine stress responses, coping mechanisms, exercise, sleep hygiene, and injury prevention, alongside nutrition, obesity, eating disorders, and substance addiction. These topics highlight the role of positive psychology and primary prevention in maintaining wellness.

The text systematically addresses social diversity by reviewing how health experiences, health behaviors, and physiological risks intersect with gender, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. This thorough analytical structure provides college students with a grounded resource for introductory and intermediate academic coursework across health psychology curricula.