Social Psychological Foundations of Health and Illness

Social Psychological Foundations of Health and Illness is a summary of current research in social-health psychology. The chapters, written by distinguished leaders in the field, provide brief surveys of classic developments in each area of study followed by extended discussion of the authorsrs" research programs. Topics discussed include virtually all of the major issues studied in the contemporary field of social-health psychology, including disease etiology, prevention, intervention and adaptation to illness. Using a variety of presentational styles, the chapter authors integrate past findings and offer directions for future developments. Social Psychological Foundations of Health and Illness is a vital resource for all those interested in how social factors affect physical health and well-being.

Jerry Suls is Professor of Psychology at the University of Iowa. He has published more than 130 articles and chapters on social psychology and health psychology and is the author or editor of numerous books, including Psychological Perspectives on Self and Identity (edited with Abraham Tesser and Richard B. Felson, 2000) and Handbook of Social Comparison (edited with Ladd Wheeler, 2000). Kenneth A. Wallston is Professor of Psychology in Nursing at Vanderbilt University. He has published extensively on perceived control and health as well as on adaptation to rheumatoid arthritis. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Society of Behavioral Medicine and has been the editor of the newsletter The Health Psychologist since 1993.