Psychoneuroimmunology and Behavioral Medicine: Clinical Programs and Services in the Bay Area
| dc.contributor.author | Wiegardt, Liz | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-06-24T16:17:03Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-06-24T16:17:03Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1988 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a new interdisciplinary scientific field that studies the interconnections between the mind and the body. This thesis discusses the development of PNI as an established field and reviews major PNI research findings. Basic physiology relating to PNI is also presented. A new field that has developed as the clinical application of PNI research is called Behavioral Medicine. Several of the primary techniques of behavioral medicine are described, including meditation, deep relaxation, imagery, nutrition, and exercise. Research questions for this project concerned the existence of structured programs and other clinical settings in the Bay Area in which behavioral medicine techniques are being applied, and a description of which techniques are being used and how they are being used. A wide variety of such clinical applications of PNI research were found. Two structured behavioral medicine programs, the Commonweal Cancer Help Program and the Cancer Support and Education Center, are described in detail. Behavioral medicine techniques are also being used in the Bay Area in a broad variety of other clinical and self-help settings, which are also discussed. Interviews were conducted with five practicing clinicians in the fields of PNI and behavioral medicine, which provide further information about behavioral medicine services in the Bay Area. Implications of this new field for psychotherapists are discussed, as well as recommendations made. Future research on the effectiveness of behavioral medicine techniques is recommended. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/3821 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher.institution | John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) | |
| dc.title | Psychoneuroimmunology and Behavioral Medicine: Clinical Programs and Services in the Bay Area | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Psychology | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) | |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Arts in Psychology |