Interrelations between psychopathology, psychosocial functioning, and physical health: An integrative perspective Article

Pettit, JW, Grover, KE, Lewinsohn, PM. (2007). Interrelations between psychopathology, psychosocial functioning, and physical health: An integrative perspective . 7(2), 453-476.

cited authors

  • Pettit, JW; Grover, KE; Lewinsohn, PM

authors

abstract

  • The field of psychosomatics is large and thriving, with diverse findings from multiple levels of analysis. As a result of the growth in psychosomatics over the past several decades, integration of empirical findings on the overlap of mental and physical health represents a daunting challenge. Moreover, much of the research in psychosomatics has involved examination of isolated variables in the absence of a guiding theoretical framework. The current paper presents a theoretical model delineating the pathways between psychopathology, physical health, and associated psychosocial constructs that may be used to (a) assimilate the large body of research findings in the field and (b) guide future research endeavors on the relations between mental and physical health. An example of model's relevance for explaining the relations between mental and physical health constructs is provided with a review of literature on depression and coronary heart disease. We hope that this model will provide a theoretical framework for understanding mental-physical health overlap, and that future research will test and refine paths in this model. © International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology.

publication date

  • January 1, 2007

start page

  • 453

end page

  • 476

volume

  • 7

issue

  • 2