Relevance of health psychology in modern times discussed

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 6

Terming the 21st century as the “age of psychology”, former president of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAHP) Prof GP Thakur today said health psychology had become the need of the times given the changes in the lifestyle of people.

Professor Thakur was speaking at the inaugural session of an international conference organised by the IAHP in collaboration with the Department of Psychology, University of Jammu, here.

The conference was based on the theme “Health Psychology: Emerging trends and challenges”.

Professor Thakur, who was the chief guest, also lauded the role of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) in maintaining a balanced approach towards all the subjects of social sciences and encouraging endeavors like the present one.

Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, RD Sharma in his presidential remarks lauded the progress of the department and congratulated the organising committee for its efforts to make an endeavor of such scale and execute it successfully.

The VC also spoke on the contemporary relevance of the theme and the need to organise such events which can come up with holistic solutions and bring out potential and hitherto unexplored research areas.

Dr GS Saun, Member Secretary, ICSSR, New Delhi, spoke on the role of the ICSSR in promoting platforms that provide a forum for multidisciplinary deliberations and opening up possibilities of collaborative research.

Prof NK Chadha, president, Indian Association of Positive Psychology, Delhi, in his keynote address highlighted various aspects of the health psychology.

He spoke on the concerns of the old age and how psychological well being and health becomes a prime concern at the advanced stage of life.

Prof Anand Kumar, president, IAHP, emphasised the contribution of his organisation in the promotion of health psychology.

He also lauded the Department of Psychology, University of Jammu, for organising a conference of this scale.

In her welcome address, Prof Arti Bakshi, Head of the Department of Psychology, said about 600 delegates from across the country and abroad had come to participate in the conference.

She also said in a short span of its coming into existence three projects had been completed by the department.

Prof Arti Bakshi also said the department had produced over 13 doctoral scholars and around 15 NET and JRFs and around 90 research papers in the last five years.