Psychology for Nurses and the Caring Professions (Social Science for Nurses/ Caring Professions)

This book aims to introduce students and practitioners to psychological knowledge and understanding and helps them to apply sound psychological principles in clinical contexts.

The authors are all health psychologists with backgrounds in nursing who have drawn upon their clinical, teaching and research interests to inform the content and engage students’ interest. The text retains its emphasis on the application of fundamental psychological principles in health and social care settings. However, this edition has been extensively rewritten to give increased attention to the developing evidence base within the psychology of health and illness. Examples of classic and recent psychological research are presented throughout to demonstrate the application of theory to practice. The addition of a family scenario, focused on professional, patient and carer perspectives, together with a detailed case study, enables students to understand how psychological theories can be applied in clinical settings. Overall, the text provides clear and concise descriptions of psychological theories, research-based evidence, and practical examples of applications across the lifespan in different health and social care settings.

Jan Walker worked as a health visitor for eight years before taking a degree in psychology and then a PhD which focused pain in later life. Working as a university lecturer and reader, she taught psychology on a wide range of courses for nurses, allied health, medical and social care professionals, from introductory to masters level. She has held honorary contracts with several pain clinics, helping individuals to identify goals and resources for self management. She has conducted, supervised and published research on the lived experience of chronic pain and other chronic conditions. Jan is currently a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the University of Southampton where she works closely with the Complementary Medicine Research Unit.

Sheila Payne is an applied social scientist with a background in nursing. Over the last twenty years she has been involved in leading and contributing to research and teaching about research methods in palliative care. She has a special interest in end-of-life care for older people, family caregivers and bereavement support. She currently holds the Help the Hospices Chair in Hospice Studies based at the International Observatory on End of Life Care at Lancaster University, UK. She is also co-director of a large five year programme of collaborative research and development called the Cancer Experiences Collaborative. Sheila has published widely in academic and professional journals.

Nikki Jarrett is a lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Southampton. She is a psychologist with a nursing background. Nikki teaches psychology to both pre-qualified student nurses and to post-qualified nurses/health and social care practitioners. Her research interests are broadly psycho-social issues in cancer and palliative care. She has worked on a variety of research projects over the last 15 years investigating issues such nurse-patient communication, referrals to specialist palliative care services and bereavement support in general practice

Paula Smith is a health psychologist with a community nursing background and a special interest in family caregiving, and pain assessment and management in older people requiring supportive palliative care. She has been involved in health services and palliative care research for the last eleven years, and has presented and published her work widely. Her teaching reflects her clinical and theoretical backgrounds focusing on applied health psychology and palliative care. This has been delivered to a range of health and social care professionals at both undergraduate and post graduate levels. Paula is currently working as a Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.