{"id":313,"date":"2023-03-01T15:05:50","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T15:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/reading-mental-and-physical-health-pillar\/"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:30:02","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:30:02","slug":"reading-mental-and-physical-health-pillar","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/reading-mental-and-physical-health-pillar\/","title":{"raw":"The Psychological Domains: Learn It 6\u2014The Mental and Physical Health Domain","rendered":"The Psychological Domains: Learn It 6\u2014The Mental and Physical Health Domain"},"content":{"raw":"<h2>The Mental and Physical Health Domain<\/h2>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3756\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"381\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2017\/02\/17042719\/Screen-Shot-2017-02-16-at-4.43.27-PM.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"wp-image-3756\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2017\/02\/17042719\/Screen-Shot-2017-02-16-at-4.43.27-PM.png\" alt=\"Image of five pillars, showing the biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, and mental and physical health.\" width=\"381\" height=\"239\" \/><\/a> <strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. The mental and physical health domain of psychology covers mental disorders, treatments for disorders, as well as the study of health and happiness.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<p>What causes depression, and how can it be treated? How do people cope with anxiety? What helps someone recover from addiction? These are the kinds of questions asked within the <strong data-start=\"622\" data-end=\"659\">mental and physical health domain<\/strong> of psychology.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"959\">This domain of psychology is what many people think of when they think about psychology\u2014mental disorders and counseling. This includes the study of <strong>abnormal psychology <\/strong>(also called psychopathology)\u00a0with its focus on abnormal thoughts and behaviors, as well as counseling and treatment methods, and recommendations for coping with stress and living a healthy life.<\/p>\r\n<p>Disorders are formally classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), which lists over 230 conditions. Each diagnosis includes:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Symptoms<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Prevalence (how common it is)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Risk factors<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Comorbidities (other conditions likely to occur alongside it)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p data-start=\"1107\" data-end=\"1204\">The DSM is used across many clinical settings, from hospitals and clinics to private practices.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\r\n<h3>clinical and counseling psychology<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1422\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1254\" data-end=\"1422\"><strong data-start=\"1254\" data-end=\"1277\">Clinical psychology<\/strong>: Focuses on the <strong data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1321\">diagnosis and treatment<\/strong> of psychological disorders and problematic behaviors. Many clinicians also contribute to research.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1611\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1611\"><strong data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1450\">Counseling psychology<\/strong>: Works with individuals who are generally <strong data-start=\"1493\" data-end=\"1520\">psychologically healthy<\/strong>, focusing on challenges related to emotions, relationships, work, or overall well-being.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"253\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224452\/CNX_Psych_01_03_CogBehav.jpg\" alt=\"The points of an equilateral triangle are labeled \u201cthoughts,\u201d \u201cbehaviors,\u201d and \u201cemotions.\u201d There are arrows running along the sides of the triangle with points on both ends, pointing to the labels.\" width=\"253\" height=\"173\" \/> <strong>Figure 2<\/strong>. Cognitive-behavioral therapists take cognitive processes and behaviors into account when providing psychotherapy. This is one of several strategies that may be used by practicing clinical psychologists.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<div>\r\n<p data-start=\"1771\" data-end=\"1798\">This type of psychology is the area of psychology most visible in popular media, which sometimes leads to the misconception that <strong data-start=\"2228\" data-end=\"2269\">all psychology is clinical or counseling psychology<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<h3 data-start=\"1771\" data-end=\"1798\">Therapy<\/h3>\r\n<p data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"1847\">Today\u2019s therapies draw from many perspectives:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"1850\" data-end=\"1914\"><strong data-start=\"1850\" data-end=\"1868\">Psychoanalytic<\/strong> (Freud): emphasis on unconscious processes.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"1917\" data-end=\"1999\"><strong data-start=\"1917\" data-end=\"1931\">Humanistic<\/strong> (Rogers): client-centered therapy, unconditional positive regard.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2116\"><strong data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2030\">Behavioral and cognitive<\/strong>: behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and <strong data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2113\">cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\r\n<h3>health psychology<\/h3>\r\n<p><strong>Health psychology<\/strong> focuses on the study of how psychological factors, including thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and social interactions, influence health and well-being. It involves understanding the ways in which psychological processes interact with biological, social, and environmental factors to impact physical health, illness, and healthcare utilization.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section>Health psychology focuses on how health is affected by the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. This particular approach is known as the <strong>biopsychosocial model<\/strong>.\u00a0<br \/>\r\n<p data-start=\"2637\" data-end=\"2684\">Research topics in health psychology include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2687\" data-end=\"2738\">Health behaviors (exercise, diet, substance use).<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2741\" data-end=\"2782\">Stress, coping, and emotion regulation.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2785\" data-end=\"2842\">Patient\u2013provider interactions and health communication.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2845\" data-end=\"2897\">Prevention, health promotion, and behavior change.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2952\">Cultural and social influences on health outcomes.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p data-start=\"2954\" data-end=\"2981\">Health psychologists may:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2984\" data-end=\"3033\">Design interventions to reduce risky behaviors.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"3036\" data-end=\"3088\">Study how relationships and stress affect illness.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3142\">Influence <strong data-start=\"3101\" data-end=\"3118\">public policy<\/strong> and health education.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section>\r\n<figure>\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"417\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224450\/CNX_Psych_01_03_BioPsych.jpg\" alt=\"Three circles overlap in the middle. The circles are labeled Biological, Psychological, and Social.\" width=\"417\" height=\"391\" \/> <strong>Figure 3<\/strong>. The biopsychosocial model suggests that health\/illness is determined by an interaction of these three factors.[\/caption]\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">[ohm2_question height=\"550\"]3932[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<h2>The Mental and Physical Health Domain<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3756\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3756\" style=\"width: 381px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2017\/02\/17042719\/Screen-Shot-2017-02-16-at-4.43.27-PM.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3756\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2017\/02\/17042719\/Screen-Shot-2017-02-16-at-4.43.27-PM.png\" alt=\"Image of five pillars, showing the biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, and mental and physical health.\" width=\"381\" height=\"239\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3756\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. The mental and physical health domain of psychology covers mental disorders, treatments for disorders, as well as the study of health and happiness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>What causes depression, and how can it be treated? How do people cope with anxiety? What helps someone recover from addiction? These are the kinds of questions asked within the <strong data-start=\"622\" data-end=\"659\">mental and physical health domain<\/strong> of psychology.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"959\">This domain of psychology is what many people think of when they think about psychology\u2014mental disorders and counseling. This includes the study of <strong>abnormal psychology <\/strong>(also called psychopathology)\u00a0with its focus on abnormal thoughts and behaviors, as well as counseling and treatment methods, and recommendations for coping with stress and living a healthy life.<\/p>\n<p>Disorders are formally classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), which lists over 230 conditions. Each diagnosis includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Symptoms<\/li>\n<li>Prevalence (how common it is)<\/li>\n<li>Risk factors<\/li>\n<li>Comorbidities (other conditions likely to occur alongside it)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1107\" data-end=\"1204\">The DSM is used across many clinical settings, from hospitals and clinics to private practices.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\n<h3>clinical and counseling psychology<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1422\">\n<p data-start=\"1254\" data-end=\"1422\"><strong data-start=\"1254\" data-end=\"1277\">Clinical psychology<\/strong>: Focuses on the <strong data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1321\">diagnosis and treatment<\/strong> of psychological disorders and problematic behaviors. Many clinicians also contribute to research.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1611\">\n<p data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1611\"><strong data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1450\">Counseling psychology<\/strong>: Works with individuals who are generally <strong data-start=\"1493\" data-end=\"1520\">psychologically healthy<\/strong>, focusing on challenges related to emotions, relationships, work, or overall well-being.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<figure style=\"width: 253px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224452\/CNX_Psych_01_03_CogBehav.jpg\" alt=\"The points of an equilateral triangle are labeled \u201cthoughts,\u201d \u201cbehaviors,\u201d and \u201cemotions.\u201d There are arrows running along the sides of the triangle with points on both ends, pointing to the labels.\" width=\"253\" height=\"173\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 2<\/strong>. Cognitive-behavioral therapists take cognitive processes and behaviors into account when providing psychotherapy. This is one of several strategies that may be used by practicing clinical psychologists.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div>\n<p data-start=\"1771\" data-end=\"1798\">This type of psychology is the area of psychology most visible in popular media, which sometimes leads to the misconception that <strong data-start=\"2228\" data-end=\"2269\">all psychology is clinical or counseling psychology<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1771\" data-end=\"1798\">Therapy<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"1847\">Today\u2019s therapies draw from many perspectives:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1850\" data-end=\"1914\"><strong data-start=\"1850\" data-end=\"1868\">Psychoanalytic<\/strong> (Freud): emphasis on unconscious processes.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1917\" data-end=\"1999\"><strong data-start=\"1917\" data-end=\"1931\">Humanistic<\/strong> (Rogers): client-centered therapy, unconditional positive regard.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2116\"><strong data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2030\">Behavioral and cognitive<\/strong>: behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and <strong data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2113\">cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<section>\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\n<h3>health psychology<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Health psychology<\/strong> focuses on the study of how psychological factors, including thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and social interactions, influence health and well-being. It involves understanding the ways in which psychological processes interact with biological, social, and environmental factors to impact physical health, illness, and healthcare utilization.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section>Health psychology focuses on how health is affected by the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. This particular approach is known as the <strong>biopsychosocial model<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2637\" data-end=\"2684\">Research topics in health psychology include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"2687\" data-end=\"2738\">Health behaviors (exercise, diet, substance use).<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2741\" data-end=\"2782\">Stress, coping, and emotion regulation.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2785\" data-end=\"2842\">Patient\u2013provider interactions and health communication.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2845\" data-end=\"2897\">Prevention, health promotion, and behavior change.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2952\">Cultural and social influences on health outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2954\" data-end=\"2981\">Health psychologists may:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"2984\" data-end=\"3033\">Design interventions to reduce risky behaviors.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3036\" data-end=\"3088\">Study how relationships and stress affect illness.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3142\">Influence <strong data-start=\"3101\" data-end=\"3118\">public policy<\/strong> and health education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 417px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224450\/CNX_Psych_01_03_BioPsych.jpg\" alt=\"Three circles overlap in the middle. The circles are labeled Biological, Psychological, and Social.\" width=\"417\" height=\"391\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 3<\/strong>. The biopsychosocial model suggests that health\/illness is determined by an interaction of these three factors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm3932\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=3932&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm3932&source=tnh&show_question_numbers\" width=\"100%\" height=\"550\"><\/iframe><\/section>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"menu_order":24,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Contemporary Psychology\",\"author\":\"OpenStax College\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/1-3-contemporary-psychology\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"Download for free at https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/1-introduction\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Abnormal Psychology\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Boundless\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.boundless.com\/psychology\/textbooks\/boundless-psychology-textbook\/introduction-to-psychology-1\/theoretical-perspectives-in-modern-psychology-23\/abnormal-psychology-512-16738\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":335,"module-header":"learn_it","content_attributions":[{"type":"cc","description":"Contemporary Psychology","author":"OpenStax College","organization":"","url":"https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/1-3-contemporary-psychology","project":"","license":"cc-by","license_terms":"Download for free at https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/1-introduction"},{"type":"cc","description":"Abnormal Psychology","author":"","organization":"Boundless","url":"https:\/\/www.boundless.com\/psychology\/textbooks\/boundless-psychology-textbook\/introduction-to-psychology-1\/theoretical-perspectives-in-modern-psychology-23\/abnormal-psychology-512-16738\/","project":"","license":"cc-by-sa","license_terms":""}],"internal_book_links":[],"video_content":null,"cc_video_embed_content":{"cc_scripts":"","media_targets":[]},"try_it_collection":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6987,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions\/6987"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/335"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}