The debate on the role of psychology includes diagnosing and treating illness and preventing illness via promoting health. It is crucial to take a position in the discussion to demonstrate what is a priority in psychology, choosing a treatment or disorder prevention via well-being fostering. The essay will offer a brief overview of psychology as a diagnostic technique and treatment versus preventive discipline to explain the position in detail. The most critical role of psychology is preventing illness and promoting health or well-being.
Essentially, psychology can be considered a diagnostic technique and treatment. According to Corace et al. (2021), psychologists have vast expertise in recognizing, diagnosing, and addressing mental health illnesses. Psychologists have professional training in monitoring and consultation and may thus supervise or consult (Corace et al., 2021). Nonetheless, psychology is also a preventative discipline that initially focuses on well-being. Diener et al. (2017) claim that organizational psychology has traditionally focused on SWB, which is subjective well-being. People’s overall assessments of their life and emotional responses are classified as SWB (Anglim et al., 2020). SWB, according to psychologists, can predict future conduct such as suicide and correlate with non-self-report indicators of well-being such as those dependent on informant reports or behavior (Diener et al., 2017). Hence, these SWB measures also predict other closely related categories, such as social support and life meaning. Individuals are increasingly seeking therapy to live a more balanced, rewarding, or gratifying existence (Diener et al., 2017). Therefore, the most crucial role is to prevent illnesses via well-being promotion.
Health psychology is related to the development of healthy behaviors and the prevention of illness. Cherry (2021) acknowledges that because health psychology focuses on how behavior affects health, it is ideally prepared to support people in changing habits that promote health and well-being. The biosocial model is today’s most common technique in health psychology (Frazier, 2020). According to this viewpoint, illness and health are the consequence of a combination of physiological, behavioral, and social variables (Cherry, 2021). Jason et al. (2019) inform that the 1960s were a watershed moment in the shift from illness treatment to prevention (medical model). The fundamental tenet is that early actions can prevent more significant issues from arising later (Jason et al., 2019). Decreasing the demographic impact of psychological factors will enhance the population’s overall health and lower the risk of illness (Compton & Shim). Thus, many health psychologists specialize in prevention, assisting patients in avoiding health issues before they occur.
I believe that preventing possible disorders through fostering and promoting well-being is psychology’s critical role because it focuses on prevention to reduce factors of possible diseases and conditions. Colizzi et al. (2020) argue that half of all mental problems begin before the age of 14 and are frequently accompanied by non-specific psychosocial factors that might evolve into any severe mental condition. This statement is a rebuttal to the alternative view that the vital role of psychology lies in diagnosing the disease. Thus, strategies for promotion, prevention, and early detection may have the most decisive influence on people’s health and well-being (Colizzi et al., 2020). Screening tools and early detection measures may pave the way for a more efficient healthcare approach.
To conclude, prevention and well-being enhancement are widely acknowledged as critical components in limiting the effect of any potentially significant health problem. According to the essay, the essential function of psychology is to prevent illness and promote health or well-being. People are increasingly choosing therapy to experience a healthier, more productive, and pleasurable life. A psychologist has to assist people in improving their mental health and overall quality of life.
References
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Cherry, K. (2021). Studying health psychology and illness. Web.
Colizzi, M., Lasalvia, A. & Ruggeri, M. (2020). Prevention and early intervention in youth mental health: Is it time for a multidisciplinary and trans-diagnostic model for care? International Journal of Mental Health Systems 14(23). Web.
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Corace, K., Arès, I., Overington, L., & Kim, H. S. (2021). Substance use and mental health disorders: Psychologists’ role in bridging the gap. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne. Advance online publication. Web.
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Jason, L. A., Glantsman, O., O’Brien, J. F., & Ramian, K. N. (2019). Introduction to community psychology. Pressbooks.