Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Gesundheit
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living organism. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind and body, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain (as in "good health" or "healthy").

In the field of psychology, "health" refers to the overall well-being of an individual, including their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It encompasses not only the absence of illness or disease, but also the presence of positive characteristics such as resilience, self-esteem, and the ability to cope with stress.

Health has many dimensions :

• anatomical,
• physiological, and
• mental and is largely culturally defined.

The relative importance of various disabilities will differ depending upon the cultural milieu and the role of the affected individual in that culture. Health Psychologists recognize Health to be a state that is actively achieved rather than the mere absence of illness. The state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being; not simply the absence of infirmity or disease. However, Health has many dimensions (anatomical, physiological, and mental) and is largely culturally defined. The relative importance of various disabilities will differ depending upon the cultural milieu and the role of the affected individual in that culture.

For example, in the context of clinical psychology, mental health would refer to an individual's emotional and psychological well-being. In the field of health psychology, physical health would refer to an individual's overall physical well-being, including the presence or absence of chronic illnesses or other health conditions.

Examples of research topics within psychology that focus on health include:

• Understanding the factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of mental health and well-being
• Examining the role of stress in the development of physical and mental health issues
• Investigating the relationship between mental and physical health
• Analyzing the impact of lifestyle factors on overall health and well-being
• Exploring the effectiveness of different interventions for improving mental and physical health.

Overall, the study of health in psychology aims to understand how psychological and behavioral factors contribute to overall health and well-being, as well as to develop interventions to promote and maintain health.

Health is the absence of disease or infirmity, coupled with a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being; the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being; not simply the absence of infirmity or disease.