| Abstract: | Reviews the books, Behavioral medicine: Changing health lifestyles edited by P. O. Davidson and S. M. Davidson (1980); Behavioral medicine: Theory and practice edited by O. F. Pomerleau and J. P. Brady (1979); and Behavioral medicine: Practical applications in health care by B. G. Melamed and L. J. Siegel (1980). This review briefly examines three recent texts all of which proclaim "behavioral medicine" in their titles. For the most part, text resources in the field of behavioral medicine have been edited collections of reports by senior researchers in the field. In a few instances, however, some intrepid individuals have undertaken the formidable task of fashioning their own perspective of this diverse realm. One potential problem with any edited collection of reports is that the individual contributed chapters may present an uneven style or level of rigor. The two edited volumes reviewed here (Davidson & Davidson; Pomerleau & Brady) illustrate how this problem can be avoided in outstanding fashion. Both of these books provide particularly useful, thought-provoking views of the field. The third book (Melamed & Siegel) reflects the perspective of only two researchers and, as a result, it necessarily emphasizes certain topics while moving rapidly over others. This volume touches on many of the topics covered in the two edited volumes and even adds to that already impressive listing (e.g., discussion of behavioral contribution to oral health/preventive dentistry). These topics do not receive nearly the same level of incisive critique, however, as was found in the other volumes. All three books represent valuable resources for anyone wanting to become more familiar with the current findings and future directions in the field of behavioral medicine. This review has highlighted what appear to be the particular perspectives of each of the three volumes--information that could guide the reader regarding which of these volumes to select--or better yet, in which order to read all three! (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
