What is the subfield of psychology that focuses on the intersection of psychology and behavioral medicine?

Health psychology is the subfield that primarily investigates the intersection of psychology and behavioral medicine. This area focuses on how psychological factors influence health, illness, and healthcare. Health psychologists examine the ways in which behaviors, stress, and psychological well-being can affect physical health and the ability to manage chronic conditions.

This subfield emphasizes the importance of both psychological and behavioral approaches to promote health and prevent disease. It also includes the study of how behavior changes can improve health outcomes, which is a critical aspect in treating and managing health issues effectively.

Clinical psychology, while also important, focuses more on diagnosing and treating mental illnesses rather than directly addressing the interplay between psychological factors and physical health. Neuropsychology studies the relationships between brain function and behavior, and social psychology investigates how social influences affect individual behavior, neither of which explicitly intersects with behavioral medicine as thoroughly as health psychology does.