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Psychology, Health and Wellbeing
UndergraduateMAQ-PSYX22242023
Course information for 2023 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 18 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Psychology, Health and Wellbeing
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- Identify and critically evaluate the major theories and types of empirical research that attempt to explain health related behaviour.
- Critically evaluate the public health approaches to health behaviour change through different health communications.
- Explain the role of cognitive, affective, cultural and demographic factors as determinants of health status.
- Demonstrate an understanding of stress and coping and its relation to chronic illness.
- Identify common approaches to modifying health beliefs and behaviours, and enhancing coping in the illness context through intervention.
- Unit Introduction and History of Health Psychology
- Models of Health Behaviour
- Representations of Health in the Media
- Keeping the healthy healthy: prevention
- Health Enhancing Behaviours
- Culture, health, and indigenous issues
- Psycho-Oncology
- Stress and Coping
- Coping with Chronic Illness
- Pain
- Putting it into context
- Positive Psychology and Health
- Future perspectives
This subject provides an introduction to the complex role that psychology plays in our overall health and wellbeing. We will explore the way in which physiological, psychological and social factors interact to determine our health. Drawing on examples from common illness types including "lifestyle diseases" such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, we will examine the role of psychology in terms of illness and disease prevention, stress and coping, and health communications. The overall approach is to examine these factors within the context of broad populations: healthy individuals, at-risk individuals, patients, and survivors. In addition, we will explore health-related issues specific to indigenous Australians and individuals from a non-English speaking background. Through tutorial exercises and discussions, the unit ensures that students gain an appreciation of the applications of psychological principles in physical health and illness.
- Essay - 1500 word written essay (40%)
- Online Multiple Choice Quizzes (20%)
- Invigilated Exam (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Elective
- MAQ-PSY-DEG-2023 - Bachelor of Psychology
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
MAQ-PSYX1104 (Not currently available)
- MAQ-PSYX1101-Introduction to Psychology I
and one of
MAQ-PSYX1105 (Not currently available)
- MAQ-PSYX1102-Introduction to Psychology II
and one of
- MAQ-STAX1103-Introduction to Psychological Design and Statistics
MAQ-PSYX1105 (Not currently available)
Others
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PSY224
Pre-requisite (PSYC104 or PSYU1104 or PSYX104 or PSYX1104) AND (PSYC105 or PSYU1105 or PSYX105 or PSYX1105) or (PSYX1101 and PSYX1102 and STAX1103)
NCCW (2020 and onwards)
PSYU2224 Psychology, Health and Wellbeing
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-PSY-DEG