Health Psychology

This book is primarily based on the proceedings of a confer- en. :::e entitled -Health Psychology: A workshop in Behavioral Medi- cine, Treatment and Research Issues,- held April 8-9, 1983 at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma Chil- drens Memorial Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This conference brought together researchers from pediatric psychology, pedia- tri cs, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, !1eurology, and psychiatry as part of a continuing medical education ~eries. While Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine are the fastest growing segments of Psychology, relatively little atten- tion has been paid to the pediatric segment of the life cycle. Yet, if we are serious about risk factor reduction and prevention of chronic diseases, it is precisely intervention with the young which will give the largest, most cost-effective results. Thus, the primary focus of the conference was on the pedia tric aspects of health and disease. Chapter 1 deals with the problems of behavioral health and sets forth some goals for our nation by the year 1990. Chapters 2 and 3 present an overview of behavioral medicine and the research trends current and predictive of the future for the field. Chapter 4 takes on issues about psychology, child health, and human deve- lopment. Chapter 5 addresses issues in pediatric medical compl i- ance and how this situation might be improved. Chapter 6 deals wi th prematurity and the family, and Chapter 7 addresses pain management problems in the young.