...TOPIC: A contrast and comparison of community psychology and public health 1. Introduction Community psychology and public health are disciplines that form part of psychology mainly concern with health. Community psychology focuses on physical and mental health promotion, empowerment and social action, while the focus of public health is on health promotion and disease prevention. These two differ in some aspect and also have existing similarities. They can also complement each other have greater impact on community health when integrated. This essay will attempt to reveal the differences, similarities as well as the strength and weakness of these two approaches, it will further conclude by discussing how they complement each other. Firstly a brief overview and historical background will be given for a better understanding. 2. Overview and historical background Community psychology movement developed in the USA, during an era when there was growing concern about both lack of resources and treatment facilities and the impact of social systems on the human psyche (Iscoe& Speilberger, cited in New perspective in community psychology, 2002) In the 1980s it then gained interest in South Africa, in parallel with the struggle for democracy, when psychologist examined the appropriateness’ of Euro-American based psychology. Public health on the other hand was developed during the era of industrial revolution. It was stimulated by unhealthy social conditions in both industrialised...
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...critical comparison between community psychology and public health and their different approaches to social problems. Each of these models strengths and weaknesses will be examined. Community psychology is concerned with how the individual interacts with the environment and the way society affects the individual. The main concern here is not just the individual but the wider community affecting the individual as well. Public health is focused on the health and well being of the whole population as regulated by the government. The main similarity between these two models is that community psychology and public health share the idea of primary prevention rather than offering a cure. Core features of community psychology and public health Public health emerged as 'social action' to combat the spread of infectious diseases by promoting general hygiene in the community, such as waste removal. (Gilbert, 1995) Preventing many diseases as well as socially harmful behaviour is one of the main goals of public health. (Tutorial Letter 102, 2015, p.6) Various professionals help is needed when dealing with public health because of all the different factors when dealing with disease. This is why public health uses a multi-disciplinary approach integrating the physical, psychological and social well-being. (Gilbert, 1995) After the Second World War, community psychology started by shifting focus from the individual to the larger group and how these effect each other. Within community psychology...
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... 3. Approaches 4 1. Prevention and health promotion 4 2. Empowerment and citizen participation 5 4. Conclusion 6 5. List of references 7 1. Introduction This assignment is about critically comparing and contrasting the community psychology and public health approaches to social problems. Firstly I will define the concepts involved, secondly I will briefly discuss historical context of both community psychology and public health and lastly I will discuss approaches. . The comparison will be based upon prevention and health promotion, empowerment, individual wellness and citizen participation 2. Definition of concepts Community psychology is all about how individuals relate to the society in which they live. Public health on the other hand is defined as being concerned with preventing disease and distress. Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals. On the other hand, community psychology is fundamentally concerned with the relationship between social systems and individual well-being in the community context. Community psychology aims to promote human welfare. Community psychology focuses on economic, environmental, political and social factors...
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... * Historical Background & Development pg.3 * Similarities between Community Psychology and Public Health pg.4 * Limitations and Differences between Community Psychology and Public Health pg.6 * Conclusion pg.7 * Reference List pg.8 Introduction According to Perkins (https://my.vanderbilt.edu/perkins/2011/09/intro-to-community-psychology/) community psychology (CP) can be defined as the relationship between social systems and individual well-being in the community context. Thus, community psychologists grapple with an array of social and mental health problems and they do so through research and interventions in both public and private community settings. PH on the other hand according to Last (cited in Gilbert, 1995) can be defined as one of the efforts organised by society to protect, promote and restore the people’s health. It is the combination of science, skills and beliefs that are directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of all the people through collective or social actions. The goal of this essay will be to critically compare and contrast these unique disciplines with...
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...Community Conceptual Model Leonie Taylor-Brown, Kellie Durner, Diane Nims, Jessica O’ Hara NUR/544 August 25, 2014 Amy Weaver FNP Community Conceptual Model Milio's framework for prevention was created as a complement to health belief model (HBM). HBM is based on individuals avoiding disease, but has limitations, such as placing the burden of action on the patient (Nies and McEwen, 2011). While Milio recognized these limitations, she continued the development of her framework for prevention. She focused on opportunities for nurses to make changes at the population level. Milio also noted that health care deficits resulted in an imbalance between health needs and health resources, and therefore believed that health promoting resources should be readily available and at a low cost. No matter what a person’s background is, they will choose options that are the simplest and less resistant. If the simplest means were choosing health-damaging options, individuals will present increased risk for poor health. It is up to the policies created by the government, federal or local, and organization to provide the education and resources for individuals. Based on Milios framework of prevention, these resources should be cost efficient and easily learned. According to Milio (1976) "The range of options available to them, and the ease with which they may choose certain ones over others is typically set by organizations public and private, formal and informal" (p...
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...LGBT Community Lisa J. Ware Capella University LGBT is a minority group that continues suffering from inequalities, discrimination, and acts of hate crimes, in addition to, being faced with the challenges that causes mental, emotional and health problems. The sexual orientation of LGBT was once known as a mental illness, however, the individual that classify as having same-sex attraction and/or sexually attract to both male and female, experience great levels of minority stress that result in mental and emotional problems. Minority stress, if experienced in severity over long periods of time will contribute to mental and physical illness. Therefore, individual in this community has developed modifiers to help cope with stressors. A mental health counselor will work with these individuals by informing on how to deal with stress through intervention planning and preventative education, that will last through out the lifespan, as a practice, when stress arrive. The Wellness and Resiliency Model The wellness model in counseling is based from research that help form the evidence bases for practice in the counseling field. The wellness approach used by mental health counselor involves a perspective that promotes a holistic approach of the mind, body, and spirit that emphasize empowerment, wellness, normal development, intervention, and prevention. Within this approach, the therapeutic goals, when working with the client, are to improve their state by striving for optimal health; the...
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...Homeless Youth: Research, Intervention, and Policy by Karen Spuriel Coleman- MBA Abstract Homelessness among youth in the U.S. is disturbingly common, with an estimated annual prevalence of at least 5 percent for those ages 12 to 17. Although homeless youth appear throughout the nation, they are most visible in major cities. Rigorous research on this special population is sparse, making it difficult to capture an accurate and complete picture. Despite its limitations, recent research describes homeless youth as a large and diverse group. Many homeless youth have multiple overlapping problems including medical, substance abuse, and emotional and mental problems. Literature suggests that comprehensive and tailored services are needed that address both the immediate and long-term needs of homeless youth. Where appropriate, services should include assistance with meeting basic needs as perceived by youth as a gateway to other needed services. In addition to serving those already homeless, interventions are needed to prevent homelessness among at-risk youth. Lessons for Practitioners, Policy Makers, and Researchers • As used here, the term “homeless youth” focuses on minors who have experienced literal homelessness on their own—i.e., who have spent at least one night either in a shelter or "on the streets" without adult supervision. On occasion, where warranted by the research being discussed, the term is also used to describe homeless young adults up to age 24. • Homelessness...
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...Task 3 Childhood Obesity Part A: Description of the Problem The primary focus of the literature review will be childhood obesity among American children between the ages of five and eighteen years. Most parents are not aware that their children have problems until they become overweight. For instance, in a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2011, about 49% of American parents believed that their children were of average size. However, after physical examinations, a team of physicians classified them as overweight. Central adiposity is one of the symptoms of childhood obesity. Children with excessive accumulation of fat around the abdominal area are either overweight or obese. Inability to cope with abrupt physical activities is another symptom. Numerous studies indicate that overweight children have diminished physical stamina because their bodies carry excess weight. Snoring is the other notable symptom of childhood obesity. As fat accumulates around the neck region, it obstructs the windpipe leading to snoring among children. Childhood obesity is now a pandemic in the U.S, and has become a national health crisis. One in every three children in America aged between two and eighteen years are considered overweight or obese. The life-threatening problems of obesity create a critical and compelling call for action that should not be ignored. According to numerous sources obesity is related to about 112,000 deaths in America every year and increasing...
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...2013 . Health Promotion World Health organization (WHO) defines health promotion as a process of enabling people to increase control over improving their health. It goes beyond focusing on individual health towards social and cultural interventions (World Health organization, 2013). The global conference held in Helsinki explains promotion of health, not focused to a specific health problem nor to a special group, but the strategies applied to a variety of population group, risk factors and diseases in various settings (The 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion in Helsinki 2013). Health care is evolving rapidly with education and technology to prevent diseases and promote health of public not only in specific group or to special behavior but also spread to wards national wide and reduce cultural disparities (Institute of medicine of the national academies - Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity and the Elimination of Health Disparities) Promotion of Health in Nursing Nursing is the major part of evolving health care system and health promotion is a most important aspect of nursing. Contemporary nursing not focus on single illness or specific group but nursing centered on education of public to improve and promote healthy living. Public health nursing established as a special nursing at this time to providing scientific knowledge to public in preventive health care (ANA evolving public health nursing focus on health promotion). Public health nurses have...
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...transpires - from within bottles, operating theatres or ourselves? It is also said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder; so what happens if either the inner image or the reflection we see is imperfect or distorted? Body image is a complex issue; one in which perceptions, thoughts and feelings play a major role - along with the widening gap between actual body sizes (which are increasing) and those portrayed in the media (such as Barbie and Rambo) (Brown and Dittmar 2005.1089). Whilst many other issues contribute to wellbeing, body image correlates with health, happiness and life satisfaction; it is how we see ourselves that ultimately dominates who we are and how we interact with the communities we live in. Accordingly, this essay examines the unavoidability of today’s “perfect” body advertising, the role materialism plays and the claim that thin does not guarantee sales; whilst considering to what extent mental health, personal health and happiness play in determining wellbeing, and then exploring the often overlooked effects body image has on a community’s wellbeing. Constant exposure to idealised media images is unavoidable; boys, girls, men and women alike are inundated with thousands of images, portraying (for most) desirable yet unattainable and unrealistic body and self, expectations and ideals (Dittmar and Howard 2004, 478). A selection of research suggests that it is not the advertisements themselves that pressure individuals; but rather, the individuals beliefs, values...
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...University Abstract Natural disasters come fast and leave fast but the communities are left with long and difficult injuries. They can be physical, monetary, family structure, and mental injuries and they do not leave along with the hurricane or ease up quickly like the earthquake, they stay around leaving many in need of multiple services. Communities are not ready most of the time and crisis intervention models have been created along the way in the aftermath of several disasters. These models include an important element used today when natural disasters strike and it is called Psychological First Aid (PFA). Many professionals and volunteers get together to collaborate and aid the communities in need. This research is focused on the services offered for mental health disturbances, and compare and describe some of the models seen in a disaster area today. Models of Crisis Intervention Natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, and floods are some of the numerous crisis situations many individuals experience every year around the world leaving many off them in need of crisis intervention. Throughout a lifetime people have seen and gone through some of the hardest natural disasters in history and have been left with many physical and emotional disturbances. While the physical disturbances are easy to see, the emotional disturbances are no,t and interventions from mental health professionals are needed to help the survivors cope with the traumatic experiences...
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...The community intervention event, “7 Days of Play” was designed to encourage others to be active for the recommended daily amount of 20-60 minutes per day (Lox et al., 2010 p. 87). This design of the project was chosen because according to the CDC, the absence of physical activity in the lives of people in the United States causes more than 365,000 deaths each year, all preventable (Lox et al., 2010 p. 21). This number of yearly deaths makes up about 16 percent of all deaths in the United States (Lox et al., 2010 p. 21). The World Health Organization has also deemed the absence of physical activity to be partially responsible for the presence of so many chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes (Lox et al., 2010 p. 21). By implementing “7 Days...
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...American public to the growing threat of biological warfare which has been amplified by the war on terrorism. The study focuses on various news items, government researches, public responses and independent researches to gauge the effects of the perceived biological threat. The research shows clear linkages between rising terrorism in the world and an increase in public knowledge of the sort of threats these terrorist organizations pose, especially the risk of a biological attack which could lead to a catastrophe. The research also sheds light on the rising voices in the media and public which demand concrete strategies to prepare for any and all eventualities. We also see how these demands shape public policy and scientific research. Lastly, we conclude that there is a definitive causal link between people’s perception of the biological terror threat and their public and private behavior. Introduction The primary research question we have is that in what ways has the use or threat of biological weapons of mass destruction affected the lives of US citizens in recent history? America has been on the receiving end of terror attacks and the year 2001 is still fresh in everyone’s minds. The terror attacks on the world trade center were soon followed by the anthrax attacks which were perpetrated by a lone, disturbed scientist. The fact that a single man, without any proper training or planning, could execute terror of this scale using home grown bacteria woke the American public and...
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...Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 23, No. 6, 2004, pp. 747-767 REASONS FOR HIV DISCLOSURE DERLEGA ET AL. REASONS FOR HIV DISCLOSURE/NONDISCLOSURE IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS: TESTING A MODEL OF HIV–DISCLOSURE DECISION MAKING VALERIAN J. DERLEGA AND BARBARA A. WINSTEAD Old Dominion University KATHRYN GREENE Rutgers University JULIANNE SEROVICH Ohio State University WILLIAM N. ELWOOD Center for Public Health and Evaluation Research This research examined the relative importance of reasons for HIV disclosure/nondisclosure with a friend, intimate partner, and parents. Participants were 145 men and women with HIV. Overall, catharsis, a will to duty/educate, and having a close/supportive relationship were endorsed as reasons that influence HIV disclosure. Privacy, self–blame, fear of rejection, and protecting the other were endorsed as reasons that influence nondisclosure. Both men and women endorsed testing the other’s reaction as a reason for disclosing more for an intimate partner, whereas they endorsed privacy more as a reason for not disclosing to a friend. Men (mostly self–identified as homosexuals or bisexuals), but not women (mostly self–identified as heterosexuals), endorsed similarity as a reason for disclosing more to a friend or intimate partner than to a parent. The results are consistent with a Model of HIV–Disclosure Decision Making that indicates how cultural attitudes This research is partly supported by a research grant (#R01DA13145–01A1) from the...
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...Highlights from Journal Articles Below is a summary of research findings on six key benefit areas of garden-based learning for children, youth, adults, and families: 1. Nutrition Awareness 2. Environmental Awareness 3. Learning Achievements 4. Life Skills 5. Health and Wellness 6. Community Building and Social Connections Nutrition Awareness Gardening improves opportunities for children, youth, adults and families to gain interest and eat fruits and vegetables. Results from this study of middle school-aged students indicate that school gardening may affect children’s vegetable consumption, including improved recognition of, attitudes toward, preferences for, and willingness to taste vegetables. Gardening also increases the variety of vegetables eaten. (Ratcliffe, M.M., et al. (2011) The Effects of School Garden Experiences on Middle School-Aged Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Associated with Vegetable Consumption. Health Promotion Practice 12.1: 36-43.) The article reports that school gardens can positively impact children’s food choices by improving their preferences for vegetables and increasing their nutrition knowledge. (Graham, H. et al. (2005) Use of School Gardens in Academic Instruction. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 37: 3: 147-151.) A study in Tucson, AZ showed that children who participated in the garden learned to like healthy foods. The vegetables that the children grew had a high intrinsic value. (Cavaliere, D. (1987). How...
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