Publisher's Synopsis
The second edition of this textbook has been extensively revised. Much new material has been added based on research which has been done in the last five years, in particular drawing on the author's own research into obesity and sexual risk behaviour. Many of the epidemiological examples and more than a third of the references have been updated. It is essentially a new book which make an important contribution to the literature.;It addresses two major factors detrimental to health and well-being, namely health-impairing behaviours and stressful life events, and argues for an integrative approach that combines psychological, economic and environmental interventions to reduce behavioural risk factors.;This is a key textbook for second and third year undergraduate courses and for postgraduate courses in social and health psychology. It should be of interest to students of health and social welfare and it should provide an essential reference for health professionals.
