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Psychological & Sociological Aspects of Ill-health - HEA00153I

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
C Summer Term 2024-25

Module aims

Students will demonstrate understanding of the psychological, sociological and environmental aspects of ill-health.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Discuss how psychological perspectives can inform our understanding of emotional reactions to life events and ill-health experience.
  2. Illustrate the social construction of ill-health and how sociological perspectives can inform our understanding of how ill-health impacts on individuals and communities.
  3. Discuss how public health is informed by understanding of the environment, patterns of disease, health policy and health economics.
  4. Consider how health promotion and health education strategies can be utilised across the lifespan.
  5. Debate how ethical theory and legislation inform healthcare.
  6. Apply research evidence to inform your understanding of psychological, sociological and environmental aspects of healthcare.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Written feedback for the summative assessment is provided on the standard proforma, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Barry A-M, Yuill C (2016) Understanding the Sociology of Health; an introduction (Fourth Edition). London: Sage.

Marks DF (Ed) (2002) The Health Psychology Reader. London: Sage.

Sarafino, EP & Smith TW (2017) Health Psychology: biopsychosocial interactions (Ninth Edition). New Jersey: Wiley.

Seedhouse D (2017) Thoughtful Health Care: ethical awareness and reflective practice. London: Sage

Wilson F, Mabhala M, Massey A (Eds) (2015) Health Improvement & Well-being: strategies for action. Maidenhead: Open University Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.