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PS2: Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Ill Health - HEA00174I

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Module co-ordinator: Mrs. Rose Havelock
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Related modules

This module shares some teaching with the BSc module Psychological & Sociological Aspects of Illhealth- HEA00153I

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2023-24

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 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.

Module content

Health Beliefs /psychological and sociological perspectives of ill-health.
Global disease and health inequalities
The experience of ill health/ psychological adjustment to and coping with illness/illness cognitions
Stigma
Depression/ Long term conditions
Psychosis
Learning disability
End of life/grief/ bereavement
Pain
Ethics

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Written feedback for the summative assessment is provided via Turnitin, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook/ assessment schedule.

Indicative reading

Ogden, J. (2019). Health Psychology 6th Edition. London: Macgraw-Hill
Nettleton, S. (2021). The Sociology of Health and Illness 4th Edition. Cambridge: Polity
Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. London: MacMillan
Barry, A.M. & Yuill C. (2016). Understanding the Sociology of Health; an introduction (Fourth
Edition). London: Sage.
Marks, D.F. (Ed). (2002). The Health Psychology Reader. London: Sage.
Sarafino, E .P. & Smith, T.W. (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 is constantly exploring 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 by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.