The course is taught in English.
 
By the end of the course students are expected to be able to:
 

1. Understand and differentiate between the key psychological theories, corresponding strategies and underlying mechanisms in the field ofhealth promotion
2. Evaluate and critically appraise the potential successfulness and pitfalls of the discussed concepts and strategies across different populations and circumstances
3. Apply the discussed theories and concepts and design effective and appropriate strategies for various health promotion goals

Good health and well-being is largely dependent on what people themselves do and the opportunities they have for doing so in the context of their physical and social environment. Health psychology offers various theories, concepts and strategies that can be useful for promoting desired, healthy behavior, but applying these tools adequately and effectively is a complex matter. In order to design effective interventions it is essential to systematically develop these interventions using theoretical insights and evidence-based strategies that are fitting to the individual for whom the intervention is designed, the specific behavior at hand and the context in which the health behavior is enacted.
 
In this course, students will become acquainted with core theories, concepts and strategies used in the domain of health promotion. In 7 lectures, students will be taught the key processes and strategies enabling people to increase control over their health and improve their health. Current and emerging strategies and possibilities to change health behaviour will be discussed in terms of their effectiveness, as well as their theoretical backgrounds and working mechanisms. In addition, students will learn about how and when these strategies can be successfully applied in interventions, and they will be taught to identify the potential opportunities, problems and boundary conditions associated with applying these strategies. This way, student will be provided with a sound understanding of the theoretical and empirical basis of health promotion, and equipped with the conceptual and practical skills to design and evaluate health promotion policies and interventions.