Abstract

JUSTO-HENRIQUES, Susana. Contribution of health psychology in promoting pandemic salutogenic behaviour. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2020, vol.21, n.2, pp.297-310. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/20psd210206.

Throughout the history of Mankind various pandemics have occurred. The increasingly globalized global world favours the dissemination of a short-term epidemic, causing a pandemic. The contribution of Health Psychology has been essential to the understanding of the connection and influence of the different pandemics upon illness conditions, as well as to the definition of salutogenic behaviour to diminish the negative consequences, promoting the well-being of the population. Adopting healthy preventive behaviour is essential to reduce the spread of pandemic diseases. In order to reduce panic and adverse reactions it is of the utmost importance to set guidelines and communicate precise recommendations, which are adequate to each pandemic situation. Changing habits, however, requires a cognitive effort, thus increasing the levels of stress and subsequent change of behaviour. A swift and adequate psychological intervention, in context of the Covid-19 pandemic, may reduce health-hazardous behaviour, based on enforced measures during past pandemics, as have been Influenza A and Ebola. Social isolation is an essential measure to control the pandemic, although it may cause changes within the psychological and emotional scope.

Keywords : Health behaviour; health risk behaviour; social behaviour; health psychology; pandemics; coronavirus infections.

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