Psychological health is an important part of overall well-being. It concerns itself with how people cope with the stresses of life. A person who is mentally healthy experiences positive moods, good feelings, and an appreciation of life. There is also a connection between psychological and physical health. For instance, a negative Psychological Health Index score is associated with a higher incidence of physical health complaints.
However, understanding how to improve psychological health is complicated. Studies have been conducted using various methods, including observational, case study, and experimental designs. One common method is to use large administrative databases to measure the exposures of individuals to potentially confounding factors. Observational studies usually employ self-reports of events, while clinical studies use more formal methods.
Psychological health is a multi-faceted area, requiring more interaction with the environment than other areas of academic research. Psychology has a wide array of applications, from helping adults resolve problems to identifying issues in adolescents. Some practitioners have formal training in research, while others practice counseling. Often, people who become interested in psychology take up the discipline to deal with the stress of family or professional responsibilities.
While the topic is complex, there is an increasing body of evidence that links psychological health to behaviors and conditions that may contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Research on this subject is difficult, methodologically challenging, and involves a lack of consensus on a standard definition of positive and negative psychological health. The overall body of data is strong and consistent. This explains why examining psychological health should be considered in the evaluation of patients with CVD.
Although there is no clear-cut definition of positive and negative psychological health, some of the attributes associated with high levels of both are happy, optimistic, and healthy. Examples include gratitude, satisfaction with life, and feeling comfortable with others. Other attributes include compassion and acceptance of others’ needs. These traits are not only desirable, they can also reduce the risk of death.
Negative psychological health is more widespread and has a much greater impact on cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that negative moods and other negative psychological factors increase the risk of CVD, while positive moods and other positive psychological factors can decrease the risk of CVD.
Several organizations have developed resources for promoting positive psychological health. In particular, the World Health Organization promotes mental health through a variety of means. Many of these services include counselling and medication. Additionally, there are a number of resources that have been developed to help employers promote the health of their employees. These include the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. Creating a psychologically healthy workplace has numerous benefits, including reduced lost work time, improved employee performance, increased engagement, and reduction in health care costs.
A large portion of the current body of research on the subject is observational. Increasingly, human studies in this field are being conducted with more formal tools, including a variety of objective measures of CVD. Behavioral and personality factors are also being addressed through comprehensive testing.