Women's Health Psychology

Women's Health Psychology

Women's Health Psychology is the first comprehensive collection ever published to consider the developmental, reproductive, and sociocultural contexts of health decision-making and behavior for women. It provides current, expert advice to help policy makers, researchers, and clinicians make the best decisions concerning topics including: The Context of Women's Health: history of women's healthcare, employment and women's health, and the effects of intimate partner violence - Health Challenges: smoking, alcohol, eating disorders, and sleep - Reproductive Health: premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the stress of infertility, psychiatric symptoms and pregnancy, and menopause - Disability and Chronic Conditions: women's responses to disability, experiencing cancer, the psychology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and rheumatic, heart, and Alzheimer's diseases " Women's Health Psychology is the first book to provide such sweeping and state-of-the art information on women’s physical and mental health. By framing each chapter within the developmental and biopsychosocial context of women in contemporary culture, this comprehensive and scholarly resource covers the range and wealth of current topics that any clinician or clinical researcher would need in one outstanding and cohesive collection. Rather than assume a disease-focused approach, the book takes a constructive and positive perspective through its focus on women's wellbeing and health challenges, which is refreshing. The highly select group of authors provides perspective from those who have been well entrenched in the field of women's health throughout their careers as well as some newer rising stars. The empirical foundation by which these authors integrate benchmark and clinical intervention research provides an invaluable resource not only for researchers, but also for clinicians and educators. As a professor, practitioner, and board-certified psychology specialist who provides services to women in an evidence-based practice, I view this book as an invaluable contribution. Moreover, academics and clinicians from the full range health disciplines including medicine, nursing, social work, will find this book accessible, informative, and most important, applicable to their practice." ― Christine Maguth Nezu , PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology & Medicine, Drexel University " Women's Health Psychology is simply an outstanding and timely resource for researchers, educators and clinicians across the health professions. Nationally known psychologists Drs. Mary Spiers, Pamela Geller and Jacqueline Kloss have brought together distinguished experts who provide evidenced based reviews of a broad range of women’s health issues across the life span. The breadth and depth of the chapters have already been invaluable for grant writing, and for translating research to practice during clinical care as well as educational workshops for psychologists, physicians, and nursing professionals. The four sections cover intersecting and complex issues affecting women's health such as contextual, diversity and employment factors; well-being and health; sexual and reproductive experiences and complications among women of all ages; as well as disability and chronic conditions. I highly recommend this invaluable resource for any health professional committed to improving women’s health and well-being." ― Helen L. Coons , Ph.D., ABPP, President, Women’s Mental Health Associates, Philadelphia Praise for Women's Health Psychology " Women's Health Psychology provides an important overview and analysis of key issues affecting women's health and well-being ... almost every chapter in this volume touches on the importance of quality of life, not just longevity.... It will serve as a valuable reference for health and mental health providers, researchers, and those in training for professional or research careers." —from the Foreword by Nancy E. Adler, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine, Director of the Center for Health and Community Women's Health Psychology is the first comprehensive collection ever published to consider the developmental, reproductive, and sociocultural contexts of health decision-making and behavior for women. It provides current, expert advice to help policy makers, researchers, and clinicians make the best decisions concerning topics including: The Context of Women's Health: history of women's healthcare, employment and women's health, and the effects of intimate partner violence - Health Challenges: smoking, alcohol, eating disorders, and sleep - Reproductive Health: premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the stress of infertility, psychiatric symptoms and pregnancy, and menopause - Disability and Chronic Conditions: women's responses to disability, experiencing cancer, the psychology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and rheumatic, heart, and Alzheimer's diseases Praise for Women's Health Psychology " Women's