PL3S151 - Health Psychology across the Lifespan 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 5

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL3S151
Module Title: Health Psychology across the Lifespan
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology
Faculty Sub Group: Youth and Community
Module Leader: Laura Drummond, Sarah Evans
Module Team: Kirsty Richards, Dan Bowers, Alexis Jones, Leigh Attwood, Deborah Lancastle, Iwan Rowlands, Samuel Hayes
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 5
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To enable students to develop a systematic knowledge and critical understanding of a range of topics and issues in Health Psychology.

To place Health Psychology topics and issues in the context of lifespan development.

Content Summary

The module will focus on the interaction of psychological, behavioural, physiological and social factors in health and illness. The course will consider models of health and theoretical perspectives in health and illness and in particular the Biopsychosocial Model. Risk factors and disease, preventative health as well as the role of stress, coping and social support. The module will also consider the role of psychological issues in medicine and medical settings. Finally, consideration will be given the development of interventions to change behaviour/manage stress/enhance effective coping etc. A key theme of this module will be the way that health and well-being are considered at different points in the life course. Topics here will therefore include; the relationship between socioeconomic factors and child/adolescent health and well-being; health behaviours such as healthy eating in childhood; health decision making; women’s health, health in later life.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Practical classes and workshops 24
Independent Study 120
Directed Study 32
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically assess the major theoretical perspectives in health Psychology including how these apply at different points in the life course
LO2 Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate substantive areas of research in health Psychology.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 An essay assessing theory and research in health psychology applied to different points in the lifecourse 0 2500 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Critique 1 A critical review of research in health psychology applied to at least two lifecourse stages 0 2500 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 1
Critique 1

Reading List

Bennett P. & Morrison, V. (2016) An Introduction to Health Psychology. Pearson.

Callaghan, J. (2017). Health Promotion to Children and Young People: Critical Perspectives. Routledge

Cook, E. and Wood, L. (2018). Health Psychology: The Basics. Routledge

Lazarus R.S. (2006) Stress and Emotion, A New Synthesis. Springer

Ogden J (2019) (6th Edition) Health Psychology a textbook, OU Press.

Stephens, C. (2008) Health promotion: A psychosocial approach OUP

Plus journals relevant to Health Psychology and Lifespan Development such as:

British Journal of Health Psychology

Journal of Health Psychology

Health Psychology

New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development

Psychology and Ageing