The Teaching of Undergraduate Health Psychology

Abstract

We conducted an online national survey to examine how undergraduate health psychology is taught, offer information about course design and content, and provide a needs analysis. Health psychology instructors ( N = 126) answered questions about course format, teaching tools, importance of covering specific topics, and needed resources. A principal components analysis of topic importance ratings revealed five domains: chronic illness, stress and adjustment processes, health psychology in practice, health behavior change, and basics and background. Participants noted that health disparities were not sufficiently addressed in textbooks. A need for integrating digital media and class activities as teaching tools was apparent. Although the number of health psychology courses has increased, there is some inconsistency in how the subject is taught and a clear need for teaching resources.