Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Activity

Catalog description

This course is designed for students in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise Minor and Certificate of Undergraduate Study (CUGS) Program. The course draws upon theories, empirical studies, and practical applications to help people discover the importance and significance of psychosocial aspects in physical activity. This course will provide a theoretical foundation for exploring the relationship/interaction between biology (brain, body systems), psychology (cognitions, emotions, and behaviors), and social factors (relationships, culture, health policy) within the reviewed topic areas. Topics covered in this course include but are not limited to: the biopsychosocial model, theories and techniques of interpersonal and cross-cultural communication, eating disorders and disordered eating, substance abuse/addiction, sleep, stress, psychosocial distress, trauma (including Trauma Informed Care), mental health concepts, suicide and self-harm, sociocultural issues, abuse and/or neglect, social support systems, response to injury and rehabilitation, psychosocial aspects of pain, psychosocial and “complementary therapies” such as meditation, yoga, massage, and acupuncture This course will also demand critical thinking of the research, assigned readings, and articles that support or contradict a certain theoretical perspective/viewpoint.