Health Psychology
Short description
Health issues are widely debated in today´s society. Alcohol and tobacco use, physical activity, health and work, diets, sexuality and stress are subjects being discussed extensively in both the scientific society as well as in popular culture. The Department of Psychology hosts a group of researchers working with health psychological research and teaches health psychology. A starting point on health psychology is the bio-psycho-social perspective where health can be understood as a result of physical, psychological and social factors.
Our research area
Our research in health psychology at the Department of Psychology is characterized by a broad perspective on health and lifestyle across the entire lifespan. We strive to understand the psychological mechanisms that influence people’s well-being and health behaviors at different stages of life.
Part of our work focuses on the health of children and adolescents, where we study body image as well as lifestyle habits related to physical activity and diet. We also examine how the modern media landscape, including social and digital media, affects both physical and mental health across different groups.
Another part of our research is situated within working life and the psychosocial work environment. We analyze how work-related stress affects health and identify critical risk and protective factors to promote a sustainable working life. This includes studies on work ability and strategies for a sustainable return to work after sick leave. This area also encompasses research on motivation, with a particular focus on what motivates sustainable health-promoting behaviors in the workplace.
To translate theoretical knowledge into practical benefit, we also work on evaluating and updating methods for health assessments in occupational health services, as well as the health dialogues conducted by school nurses. We further explore how new technologies, such as AI, can be used to support behavior change and promote health. Central to this work is an understanding of how sustainable behavior changes are created and maintained over time.
Our research also highlights complex relationships between mental health, sleep, and stress, as well as how socioeconomic differences can lead to health inequalities. We also delve into clinical issues related to substance abuse, addiction, and psychiatric comorbidity. Across our research, there is a strong methodological focus on the development and validation of health psychology instruments, as well as analyses of self-rated health and health-related quality of life as key measures of individuals’ experiences.
Research projects
Highways to health: Interactions between physical and cognitive health functions over the life course
Aim: To investigate how physical function (e.g. fitness) and health behaviors in middle age and cognitive function early in life interact and are related to disease and health outcomes over the life course. The study is based on merged population databases where the same individuals can be followed over their life course.
Principal investigator: Magnus Lindwall
Act to Prevent: Fitness and physical activity in the prevention of cancer from a life course perspective
Aim: To study the importance of changes in fitness and physical activity during the life course for the prevention of different types of cancer in men and women of different ages from the Swedish working population. The project is located at the Swedish School of Sports and Health Sciences (GIH), Stockholm.
Principal investigator: Elin Ekblom-Bak (GIH)
Contact person at The University of Gothenburg: Magnus Lindwall
WORK TOGETHER: Using a systems approach to update an occupational health service and reduce the health gap
Aim: To improve the inclusion and effectiveness of an existing and nationally implemented occupational health service program with the aim of reducing health inequalities by focusing on high-risk groups who need the program the most. Based on a long-term research program that consists of three connected parts and five projects. The program is located at the Swedish School of Sports and Health Sciences (GIH), Stockholm
Principal investigator: Elin Ekblom-Bak (GIH)
Contact person at The University of Gothenburg: Magnus Lindwall
Impact of COVID-19 on mental health, well-being, and stress in the Swedish general population.
Aim: Examine mental health, well-being, and stress in the general Swedish population before, during, and after COVID-19. Data is analyzed in relation to Swedish citizens’ socioeconomic- and sociodemographic status.
Principal investigator: Ann-Sophie Lindqvist Bagge
Health-related quality of life in patients with malignant melanoma.
Aim: Examine (health-related) quality of life and subjective health in patients with malignant melanoma.
Principal investigator: Ann-Sophie Lindqvist Bagge
Health anxiety - an unrecognized problem in Swedish healthcare? A project on prevalence, individual- and demographic factors, attitudes within healthcare, and healthcare cost.
Aim: The project aims to investigate the prevalence of HA in the general Swedish population and Swedish healthcare, identify factors associated with HA, and study the effect of HA on healthcare utilization and mortality. A further aim is to identify barriers preventing people with HA from getting a correct diagnosis and treatment when in contact with the Swedish healthcare system.
Principal investigator: Ann-Sophie Lindqvist Bagge
Salutogenic factors for positive body image.
Aim: To examine factors that promote positive body image development. The project is based on interviews with individuals who have overcome negative body image or have had a stabile positive body image over time.
Principal investigator: Kristina Holmqvist Gattario
Members
Full professors
Kristina Holmqvist Gattario
body image and experiences of bullying and sexual harassment
Magnus Lindwall
the psychology of exercise and physical activity
Senior Lecturers
Pernilla Larsman
psychosocial work environment, work-related stress, health
Ann-Sophie Lindqvist Bagge
relationship between mental- and somatic health, addiction
Sara Thomée
information and communication technology, work-related health, mental health
PhD students
Niklas Rydbo
working environment, motivation, cooperation