EXCEED THE SPACE PROVIDED. High risk behaviors, poor medical decision making, lack of adherence to medical regimens, deterioration of quality of life in response to chronic life-threateningillness, and the impact of psychological distress and psychiatric disorder on the onset and progression of physical illness are all central issues in contemporary health care. These are also the topics of health psychology. This application requests funding for a pre- and post-doctoral training program that will prepare individuals for careers in health psychology. The program draws on anoutstanding faculty in two (geographically adjacent) universities and four departments to provide integrated interdisciplinary training. Current funding for the 12 members of our training faculty includes 42 grants from NIH and 14 from other sources. We have trained 71 predocs and 46 postdocs in the last ten years (including current trainees) and many of these trainees have become established and contributing health scientists. Predoctoral trainees in our program receive degrees in health psychology; or in clinical, cognitive or social psychology, with a specialization in health psychology. Post-doctoral students include Ph.D.s in behavioral sciences and M.D.s. We use a variety of experiences in our training program including formal courses, seminars, and research programs. Trainees have the opportunity to participate in a primary research program while becoming knowledgeable about other areas of health psychology research. Research training occurs in the context of the development and systematic examination of psychologic and biologic theory. Each trainee is required to master theoretical and substantive literatures, and research methods in health psychology. They are also required to specialize in two of four speciality areas: psychophysiology, psychosocial processes in disease, medical decision making and psychosocialinterventions. Upon completion of training, predoctoral trainees in cognitive, social, and health subspecialties will be prepared for placement as researchers in academic medicine or psychology departments. Following their internships,clinical students will be prepared for conducting health psychology research in clinical and academic settings. Adequate laboratory space, office space, secretarial support, computer facilities and libraries are available for the trainees. We are requesting funding for 5 pre-doctoral and 4 post-doctoral trainees per year. PERFORMANCE SITE ========================================Section End===========================================
