Embodied health: a guiding perspective for research in health psychology

Abstract

Health psychology is based on a biopsychosocial model, which conceptualises health as a product of biological, psychological and environmental factors. However, many studies in health psychology reflect a more narrow focus on the psychosocial influences of health, leaving out physical influences, while the majority of medical studies neglect the influence of psychosocial variables. We suggest that shifting focus to the relationship between bodily experiences and health-related cognition can bridge the gap between psychological and medical research traditions. We review the literature on the theory of embodied cognition and discuss its potential to serve as a framework to guide health research. Finally, we make suggestions regarding the potential contribution of an embodied health perspective to research on preventive health behaviour, physician–patient communication and adherence to treatment recommendations.

Keywords:

• embodiment
• Cartesian dualism
• biopsychosocial model of health

Acknowledgements

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE-0813967.