Introduction to the Special Section on the Future of Health Psychology.

Following 25 years of landmark progress, health psychology faces even greater change in the foreseeable future. Evolving patterns of health and illness and developments in medicine and related fields will shape the future of health psychology. The articles in this special section discuss these future issues in several areas: the biopsychosocial model, changes in demographics, prevention, clinical health psychology interventions, health care financing, and new technologies. In every case, the future holds a variety of important challenges and opportunities in research, practice, training, and policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Health Psychology: What Will the Future Bring?

This commentary highlights several important themes and trends in this series of articles focusing on the future of health psychology. First, the challenges posed by changes in populations will only be met if health psychologists can develop a contextual competency. Second, with increasing evidence for the efficacy of health psychology interventions comes heightened interest in testing the effectiveness of these interventions. Third, issues of cost-effectiveness of health psychology will become increasingly important. Fourth, the growing integration of technological advances (e.g., telehealth, the Internet) into health psychology has major implications. Finally, the numerous changes outlined in this series of articles will demand that health psychologists extend and refine their theoretical models including the biopsychosocial model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction: The Future of School Psychology.

Provides an introduction to the current issue of Professional Psychology's School Psychology section. Predicting professional psychology's future is difficult. All of professional psychology will be influenced by immediate external factors, such as national and world economic and social stability, and by rapid social change. However, school psychology is also influenced, perhaps to a greater extent than other professional specialties in psychology, by its own internal conflicts and its particular developmental history. School psychology's current status and problems provide an especially complex set of concerns that must be understood if any reasonable assessment of its future is to be made. To highlight these concerns, I have organized this section around proposals for major changes in school psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Future of Mental Health.

Examines the two sets of criteria that generally categorize mental health: those that emphasize internal events and those that deal with external events. The author discusses the future of mental health in light of many of its current trends, including greater acceptance of diversity, and he discusses the potential future role of the mental health professional. The author notes that greater numbers of mental health professionals have gotten involved with different populations, and suggests that the majority of mental health professionals will probably be experts in handling small units of behavior or experience for a limited time. The very process of making predictions changes the future course of events. Let us hope that this intricate process will result in greater satisfaction for greater numbers of people. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Positive Psychology Progress: Empirical Validation of Interventions.

Positive psychology has flourished in the last 5 years. The authors review recent developments in the field, including books, meetings, courses, and conferences. They also discuss the newly created classification of character strengths and virtues, a positive complement to the various editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (e. g., American Psychiatric Association, 1994), and present some cross-cultural findings that suggest a surprising ubiquity of strengths and virtues. Finally, the authors focus on psychological interventions that increase individual happiness. In a 6-group, random-assignment, placebo-controlled Internet study, the authors tested 5 purported happiness interventions and 1 plausible control exercise. They found that 3 of the interventions lastingly increased happiness and decreased depressive symptoms. Positive interventions can supplement traditional interventions that relieve suffering and may someday be the practical legacy of positive psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Health Services and Health Care Economics: The Health Psychology Marketplace.

In an effort toward cost containment, the health care system in the United States has undergone radical changes in the last decade. These changes have influenced the delivery of clinical health psychology services. This article reviews several economic and marketing factors salient to the clinical health psychology marketplace. For example, these economic changes have placed greater emphasis on the need for cost-effectiveness and accountability in the health psychology field. Implications for education and training, collaboration with other health care specialties, new practice initiatives, and public relations are reviewed. Future challenges and opportunities for clinical health psychology are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Great Expectations or The Future of Psychology (As Seen in Science Fiction).

In view of the APA's attempts to take stock of the present and to speculate about the future developments in psychology, it may be of interest to see what authors of science fiction have to say about possible futures for psychology. To order the material we use the divisions of the APA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Telehealth Interventions in Rehabilitation Psychology: Postcards From the Edge.

This special section grew out of a symposium at the 112th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association in Honolulu, Hawaii, that presented innovative telehealth interventions in rehabilitation from around the world. Several presentations represented the cutting edge of science and technology for which only preliminary data were available--hence the subtitle "Postcards From the Edge." The collected articles represent emerging approaches by pioneers in telehealth rehabilitation and are intended to inform the clinical and research efforts of others who are grappling with the particular blend of psychological and technological issues that these interventions provide. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Spirituality, Health, and the Discipline of Psychology.

Replies to comments by D. J. McCormick (see record 2004-10043-013), L. J. Richmond (see record 2004-10043-014), C. A. Rayburn (see record 2004-10043-015), and F. J. Kier and D. S. Davenport (see record 2004-10043-016) on the special section on spirituality, religion, and health in the January 2003 issue of American Psychologist (2003, Vol 58, 24-74). Each of the comments is addressed in turn. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychosocial Interventions in the Early Phases of Disasters.

Interest in the emerging field of disaster psychology has significantly increased after such events as the Oklahoma City bombing and the September llth (2001) terrorist attacks. Consequently, a massive response has ensued from clinicians seeking to provide mental health services to disaster victims, highlighting the need to ensure timely and clinically effective service provision. The present article is directed toward clinicians and trainees interested in learning more about the disaster mental health field. It describes the impact of disasters on communities and individuals and the most commonly employed interventions. The authors emphasize the distinction between the fields of disaster psychology and traumatology and stress that expertise in treating trauma-related disorders is not sufficient preparation for conducting psychosocial disaster intervention. Finally, information is provided on how to obtain adequate training and experience as a disaster mental health professional. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and Health: Research, Practice, and Policy.

Since World War II, American psychology's role in health care has significantly expanded. This was formally recognized in 2001 when the membership of the American Psychological Association (APA) approved a bylaw change in its mission statement to include the word health. An accumulating body of research demonstrates and recent reviews conclude that psychological factors are primary in health and in illnesses. This article proposes a vision of psychology that endorses a bio-psycho-socio-cultural model of health research and interventions. The author provides 4 definitions of health, reviews selected psychology health research and interventions, summarizes APA's recent health-related activities, and presents 5 policy recommendations for consideration and debate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Division of Health Psychology 1989 Student Research Award.

Presents an abstract of the winning paper (entitled "Writing about disclosed versus undisclosed traumas: Health and mood effects") submitted for the 1989 Student Research Award Competition in association with the 97th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. Ms. Greenberg's paper was presented as a poster at the meeting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Public Health and Psychology: An Important, Expanding Interaction.

The authors opine that the behavioral sciences and the field of psychology are absolutely vital in meeting the nation's needs regarding health and health policy. Psychologists have become increasingly involved in health psychology, as reflected by the establishment and rapid growth of Division 38 (Health Psychology). This expansion of psychologists' involvement in physical health research and intervention has led to increased contact between psychologists and nurses, public health experts, and nonpsychiatric physicians. With such contact, psychologists are being recruited into the faculties of schools of nursing, schools of public health, and schools of medicine. This article examines aspects of psychology's role in, involvement with, and contribution to one sector of this arena--public health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evolution of the Biopsychosocial Model: Prospects and Challenges for Health Psychology.

Although advances have been made in specifying connections between biological, psychological, and social processes, the full potential of the biopsychosocial model for health psychology remains untapped. In this article, 4 areas that need to be addressed to ensure the continued evolution of the biopsychosocial model are identified and a series of recommendations concerning initiatives directed at research, training, practice and intervention, and policy are delineated. These recommendations emphasize the need to better understand and utilize linkages among biological, psychological, social, and macrocultural variables. Activities that facilitate the adoption of a multisystem, multilevel, and multivariate orientation among scientists, practitioners, and policymakers will most effectively lead to the kinds of transdisciplinary contributions envisioned by the biopsychosocial perspective. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence-Based Practice: Promoting Evidence-Based Interventions in School Psychology.

We present an overview of issues related to evidence-based practice and the role that the school psychology profession can play in developing and disseminating evidence-based interventions (EBIs). Historical problems relating to and the recurring debate about the integration of research into practice are presented as a context for the current challenges faced by those engaged in the EBI movement in psychology and education. Potential solutions to the problems posed by the adoption of EBIs in practice are presented within the context of the directions to be taken by the Task Force on Evidence-Based Interventions in School Psychology (Task Force). Five assumptions are presented that can guide the Task Force in addressing the integration of EBIs in practice. These assumptions are followed by five recommendations that can be translated into action plans to be adopted by the Task Force for the promotion of EBIs in practice. The action plans are conceptualized as a shared responsibility of school psychology researchers, trainers, and practitioners. Future directions and implications for policy among groups with a common agenda for promoting EBIs are also presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Internet interventions: In review, in use, and into the future.

The provision of health care over the Internet is a rapidly evolving and potentially beneficial means of delivering treatment otherwise unsought or unobtainable. Internet interventions are typically behavioral treatments operationalized and transformed for Web delivery with the goal of symptom improvement. The literature on the feasibility and utility of Internet interventions is limited, and there are even fewer outcome study findings. This article reviews empirically tested Internet interventions and provides an overview of the issues in developing and/or using them in clinical practice. Future directions and implications are also addressed. Although Internet interventions will not likely replace face-to-face care, there is little doubt that they will grow in importance as a powerful component of successful psychobehavioral treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Meeting U.S. Health Care Needs: A Challenge to Psychology.

Is there really a growing need for primary care psychologists? U.S. population health statistics reveal a great deal of variability in the care Americans receive and in their associated health outcomes. Members of minority groups, the inner-city poor, and rural Americans bear a disproportionate burden of ill health. The decreasing pool of primary care physicians is documented as well as is the growing pool of nonphysician primary care providers. The need to expand the nature of psychological interventions in primary care is examined, and change in the training of professional psychologists is recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Technological and Medical Advances: Implications for Health Psychology.

Behavioral telehealth, health informatics, organ and tissue transplantation, and genetics are among the areas that have been affected by advances in technology and medicine. These areas illustrate the opportunities and the challenges that new developments can pose to health psychologists. Each area is discussed with respect to implications for practice, research, public policy, and education and training: recommendations are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology of addictive behaviors: 1990s: The future of the psychology of addictive behaviors: Introduction.

It is no surprise that the beginning of the last decade of the century should stimulate thought about the future. Caught up in this spirit, I asked a number of experts in the field of addictive behaviors to consider the next 10 years. What, I asked, do you think will happen in the decade of the 1990s? Making this task even more challenging, the authors were limited in the length of their responses to what amounts to a short essay. They have risen to the task and have provided views of different aspects of the field of addictive behaviors and the result is this special issue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Future development of psychology and its role in Canadian life: A personal view.

This is not a report; it does not arise from statistical analysis of data, or systematic survey of opinion, or discussions of a committee. There are no findings. This is a statement based on personal impressions gained during my two decades of close association with psychology in Canada. My focus is on consideration of the ways in which psychology, while continuing to flourish as a basic and applied science, may best play its role in promoting public welfare and the attainment of national goals. There are no recommendations. Where appropriate, I have made suggestions, some of which may be useful as starting points of discussions among those concerned with planning the future development of psychology in Canada. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)