Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care

UNIT 30: HEALTH PSYCHOLOGYUnit 30:Health PsychologyNQF Level 3:Guided learning hours: 60BTEC NationalsUnit abstractThe aim of this unit is to extend understanding of the application of the principles ofpsychology to the health and social care sectors. This was introduced in Unit 8:Psychological Perspectives for Health and Social Care, and extended in Unit 29:Applied Psychological Perspectives for Health and Social Care. Completion of thelatter is not a prerequisite for this unit however, as the focus here is specificallyhealth psychology.The unit explores the role that health psychology has in understanding health andillness behaviours. Learners will investigate psychological theories that aim to explainhealth-related behaviours. They will then extend the knowledge and understandingthus gained to consideration of the concept of stress, and to contemporary issueswithin health behaviour. Finally, learners will explore psychological factors inrelation to chronic/terminal illness.On successful completion of this unit learners will have a good understanding of thepsychological aspects of health and illness. The unit will be valuable to those learnersintending to work with people in a caring capacity. It will also be useful to learnerswho intend to progress to study at a higher level. The psychological approach isembedded in several other units in the programme.Learning outcomesOn completion of this unit a learner should:1 Understand health and illness2 Understand models of stress and stress management strategies3 Understand specific issues in health psychology4 Understand chronic and terminal illness.BN018467 – Specification – Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care– Issue 1 – February 2007 © Edexcel Limited 2007383