Poul Rohleder 
Critical Issues in Clinical and Health Psychology 

‘This book extends the ongoing discussion on critical approaches within clinical and health psychology. In particular, it emphasises the need to consider the importance of social and cultural factors in understanding health, illness and disability. With detailed examination of a wide range of empirical studies it demonstrates the vibrancy of contemporary critical psychological research.’


– Michael Murray, Keele University

‘Provides an original overview of areas within health and clinical psychology that are frequently overlooked in other textbooks. It is distinctive in three major ways: first, it takes an explicitly critical approach, and therefore locates our current psychological understandings of issues within health and clinical psychology within their broader social and cultural contexts. Second, it considers both physical and mental health simultaneously, which is a major strength. Third, it is unique in its scope and focus. In achieving these distinctive features, this text competently draws on up-to-date research and literature across a range of disciplines and fields in an accessible and engaging manner… I personally think it should be a must-read for all those studying and working within the health psychology field!’
– Antonia Lyons, Massey University

This textbook gives a clear and thought-provoking introduction to the critical issues related to health, illness and disability in clinical and health psychology. Challenging some of the preconceptions of ill-health of the biomedical approach, the book explores how health and illness is often shaped by factors such as culture, poverty, gender and sexuality, and examines how these influences impact on the experience and treatment of physical and mental illness as well as disability. Students are introduced to literature from disciplines other than psychology to provide multiple perspectives on these complex issues.

Critical Issues in Clinical and Health Psychology is a key textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students taking courses in health or clinical psychology, as well as for students from other disciplines related to health and mental health care.

Table of Content

Introduction: Critical Issues in Clinical and Health Psychology

Locating the Field

Understanding Health, Illness and Disability

Critical Issues in Clinical and Health Psychology

Chapter 1: Psychosocial and Critical Models of Health, Illness and Disability

Health, Illness and Psychology

The Biopsychosocial Model

Psychological Models of Mental Health

Sociological Critiques of the Medical Model

Critical Psychology

Chapter 2: Understanding and Changing Health Behaviours

Cognitive-Behavioural Models of Health Behaviours

Ecological Systems Theory

Community and Structural Interventions

Chapter 3: Culture

Dimensions of Culture

Culture and Illness Experience

Culture and Mental Health

Culture, Body Image and Disordered Eating

Culture and Disability

Health Care as Cultural

Chapter 4: Socio-economic Status

SES and Disease

SES and Mental Health

SES and Disability

Homelessness and Health

Explaining SES Health Inequalities

SES and the Professional-Patient Interaction

Chapter 5: Gender

Gender Disparities in Health

Gender and Sexual Health

Gender, Body Image and Disordered Eating

Gender and Mental Health

Gender and Disability

Chapter 6: Sexuality

Homosexuality and the Mental Health Professions

Homosexuality, Ill-Health and Health Care

′African Sexuality′ and HIV/AIDS

Sexuality and People with Disabilities

Chapter 7: Research Methods for a Critical Approach to Clinical and Health Psychology

Different Methods in Qualitative Research

Mixed-Methods

Quality in Qualitative Research

About the author

Poul Rohleder is a Reader in clinical and health psychology and Academic Tutor on the Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of East London, UK. He is predominantly a qualitative researcher, whose research interests focus mostly on psychosocial aspects of HIV and sexual health, disability and sexual health, mental health and sexuality. He has published widely in these areas