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2013 23: 572Feminism & PsychologyCarmel Capewell

Sally Johnson (eds)Christine Horrocks andAdvances in health psychology critical approaches

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impact of context. In Part III, the implications for global healthcare systems

regarding a change of power between professionals and patients makes some excel-

lent points. For example, the idea of the expert patient who potentially has greater

understanding and expectations of treatment and the type of conversations theyll

want with professionals as a result of being better informed from accessing infor-

mation via the internet. There is a limited discussion of whether everyone has this

interest or ability to access the change. However, the need for medical professionals

to reflect on their own practices, particularly when they may avoid issues with

which they seem to feel uncomfortable or not have the resources to deal, is made

in a discussion about domestic violence. The action focus is seen in Part IV.

Examples of how using different methodologies and greater community-based

research can help move health psychology away from individual treatment and

more into community prevention helps to illustrate the ways in which critical

health psychology can achieve policy change through action.There are effective descriptions of the way in which an individuals social and

cultural context can impact health behaviours throughout the book. For example

in chapter 4, Katy Day, uses class to illustrate how critical health psychology

approaches explore potential causes behind higher mortality rates and health

behaviours (e.g. being overweight and smoking) through listening to peoples

voices and stories. This is in contrast to traditional health psychology which uses

Socio Economic Status (SES), based on educational level and household income,

as another variable to be factored in to explain individual health behaviours.

Critical approaches in health psychology emphasise researching with, ratherthan on, people. Encouraging people to discuss the reasons why they chose certain

actions over others provides insight into how social identity shapes an individuals

actions. The view is that this will lead to more appropriate health prevention

programmes. Evaluation of these alternatives is not provided.

The research studies discussed throughout the book are helpful in demonstrating

application of the ideas and concepts described. In general, the ethical issues

involved in quantitative research are not well covered, with the exception of the

implications and benefits of time limitations regarding informed consent.

One of the stated aims of the book is to critique mainstream health psychology.This is done well as the value of mainstream methods is recognised through use of

appropriate references, while the benefits to be gained from critical health psych-

ology which adds a different dimension is effectively developed. The benefits of

utilising critical health psychology approaches are well made through the use of

appropriate and well-described examples. The book provides an increased under-

standing of the inequalities of healthcare, the ways in which marginalised groups

describe themselves and the importance of situating people in context.

Book reviews 573

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