Course

Unit 1

Foundations of Community Health Psychology

Definition and scope. Historical evolution of health psychology and community health psychology. The biopsychosocial and ecological models. Health promotion versus disease prevention. Health Issues Affecting Children and Adolescents – School–based healthcare programmes. Explore interactive online public health dashboards (e.g., WHO Health Observatory, India Health Data Portal) to observe real-time community health indicators and understand how data informs psychological interventions.

Unit 2

Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities

Socioeconomic status, race, gender, and access to healthcare. Environmental and cultural influences on health. Health inequities and social justice. Case studies on marginalised populations. Use Google Sheets or Data wrapper to visualise local community health data (such as nutrition, sanitation, or literacy) and interpret how these social determinants affect well-being.

Unit 3

Community-Based Interventions

Principles of community engagement. Needs assessment and community mapping. Designing culturally sensitive health promotion programs. Behaviour change theories in community health (e.g., Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory). Use Google Forms or KoboToolbox (a beginner-friendly, open-source platform) to conduct simple digital surveys for community needs assessment. 

Unit 4

Participatory Research and Evaluation

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Action research methods. Ethical considerations in community health research. Monitoring and evaluating community interventions. Conduct virtual focus groups or interviews using Zoom or Google Meet, apply AI-assisted transcription tools (like Otter.ai) for qualitative data handling, and use NVivo alternatives like Taguette for coding and thematic analysis of qualitative responses.

Unit 5

Empowerment, Policy, and Advocacy

Community empowerment and leadership. Health education strategies. Mental health in communities. Role of psychologists in public health policy and advocacy. Use social media tools such as Canva and Instagram (educational campaigns) to create and share community health messages, applying behavioural change communication principles in digital spaces.

Text Books / References

Textbooks

1. Campbell, C., & Murray, M. (2004). Community health psychology: Promoting analysis and action for social change. Journal of Health Psychology, 9(2), 187–195. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105304040886
2. Murray, M., & Campbell, C. (2003). Community health psychology: Context, diversity and inequality. Journal of Health Psychology, 8(2), 155–157. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105303008002001
3. Marks, D. F., Murray, M., Evans, B., & Willig, C. (2011). Health psychology: Theory, research and practice (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
4. Dalal, A. K., & Misra, G. (2010). The core and context of Indian psychology. Psychology and Developing Societies, 22(1), 121–155.
5. Naidoo, J., & Wills, J. (2016). Foundations for health promotion (4th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.

Suggested Readings

1. Perkins, D. D., & Zimmerman, M. A. (1995). Empowerment theory, research, and application. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 569–579. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02506982
2. Jason, L. A., Glantsman, O., O’Brien, J. F., & Ramian, K. N. (2019). Introduction to community psychology: Becoming an agent of change. Rebus Community.
3. Nelson, G. B., Kloos, B., & Ornelas, J. (2014). Community psychology: In pursuit of liberation and well-being. Palgrave Macmillan.

Community Health Psychology is a specialised field that investigates the ways in which psychological theories and practices can be applied within community settings to enhance health and well-being. It delves deeply into the interplay between individual behaviours and wider social, cultural, economic, and environmental influences that collectively shape health outcomes at the community level.This discipline pays particular attention to the social determinants of healthsuch as education, income, housing, and social support systemsthat often lead to variations in health status among different groups. By examining these determinants, Community Health Psychology seeks to understand the root causes of health disparities and inequities.The field also emphasises the importance of community empowerment, which involves enabling community members to have a voice and active role in identifying their health needs, making decisions, and implementing solutions. Through empowerment, communities are better equipped to address health challenges collectively and sustainably.A significant component of Community Health Psychology is its focus on public health interventions that are designed and implemented at the community level. These interventions may target a range of health issuesfrom infectious diseases to mental healthusing strategies that are culturally appropriate and contextually relevant. The course guides students in systematically assessing community health needs, developing intervention plans, and applying methods to evaluate the effectiveness of those plans.Additionally, the module introduces participatory research methods, which involve collaboration between researchers and community members throughout the research process. This participatory approach ensures that research activities are grounded in local realities and are more likely to yield practical, actionable outcomes.Students enrolled in this course will develop practical skills in needs assessment, intervention design, and advocacy. They will learn how to promote equitable health policies and create supportive environments that foster both physical and mental health. The curriculum is multidisciplinary, drawing on insights from psychology, sociology, public health, and policy studies, and it encourages students to apply their knowledge to meaningful community change and health promotion.

Course Objectives

• To introduce the foundational theories and scope of community health psychology.
• To examine the impact of social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors on community health.
• To explore health disparities, social justice, and the role of community empowerment in public health.
• To develop skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating community-based health interventions.
• To familiarize students with participatory research methodologies and ethical practices in community health psychology.
• To introduce students to basic digital tools for community data collection, visualization, and communication in health promotion initiatives.

Course Outcomes

• CO1: Demonstrate an understanding of theoretical models and frameworks in community health psychology.
• CO2: Identify and analyse social determinants that influence health and well-being at the community level.
• CO3: Design and propose community-based interventions that address health challenges.
• CO4: Apply principles of empowerment, advocacy, and participatory action in public health initiatives.
• CO5: Evaluate the impact of health interventions and contribute to the development of evidence-based practices in community settings.

CO-PO Mapping