Health Psychology
INTRODUCTION: The most important assignment and work product of the semester is the research paper which is a case study of someone who might have a psychological disorder.
The purpose of this paper is to allow students to express an in depth knowledge of at least one specific psychological disorder and exercise their critical thinking and analytical skills. Because it is a research paper, significant content should be devoted to quoting findings and insights from the psychological and mental health literature. This paper will make the difference between a high and allow grade in the course.
ASSIGNMENT: The most important assessment of a students learning in this course is the ability to apply health psychology ideas and findings to a case study of a specific individual. Select an individual you know fairly well who might have a psychological disorder and write a 10-page case study of this individual You should know the subject well enough to be able to understand and describe their mental health issues and options. Include in your paper insights and conclusions or references from the research, mental health and psychological literature.
The paper should be 10 pages double spaced with a reference page at the back to list references you have used (if you need more space please use it). Do not use personal names in referring to the subject of the paper. Instead, use terms like the subject, this person, the patient, etc. which disguise the identity of the person being analyzed and discussed. Use professional language and phraseology and try to avoid slang. Organize your paper according to the following outline.
THE SUBJECT: Describe the demographic (e.g. age, gender, family status, employment, SES, etc.) and health characteristics of the subject POSSIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER:
Note symptoms that cause you to believe that this person might have a psychological disorder and describe their severity POSSIBLE CAUSES OF THE APPARENT DISORDER ATTITUDE OF THE SUBJECT TOWARD TREATMENT TREATMENT INTERVENTIONS AND WHY THEY WERE CHOSEN: Describe what specific interventions you recommend and why you chose those methods (i.e. why you think those intervention methods are appropriate or could work well) POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND RISKS OF THE PLANNED INTERVENTIONS: Describe what the hazards and risks of your intervention methods might be if the plan does not succeed or if things go wrong. What cautions should be noted?
TRACK RECORD OF THE PLANNED INTERVENTIONS: Cite examples where these methods have worked or not worked with other people in the past. Comment on the practicality and feasibility of your recommendations
