Child Health Psychology

Provides a long overdue prioritisation of child and adolescent health psychology, relating this to later functioning in a lifespan perspective...  An invaluable aspect of this book is its research methods section: providing accessible details on psychobiological assessment, including stress, neurotransmitter and endocrine markers... Discussion is highlighted throughout by helpful figures charting biological aspects that many psychologists may be new to, such as the biological life cycle of stress, as well as complex theories and cognitions, such as young children′s experiences of pain... Taking an interdisciplinary stance to a textbook can be a difficult task. However, despite introducing a variety of concepts, this text is very accessible and a joy to read. A use of both old and new case studies and examples helps to chart the progress in the field... an excellent book for health psychology modules and postgraduate teaching, providing an introduction to both child-focused research and biological measurements.

BPS members can read the full review here. -- The Psychologist
A comprehensive overview of how health psychology relates to children’s health is long overdue. Many of the theories within health psychology have been developed in relation to adult populations, and it is unclear how they might apply to children and young people at different developmental stages.  This book is well evidenced, has a sound theoretical and scientific basis, and at the same time is insightful and readable – reflecting the author’s enthusiasm for the topic. It will stimulate the reader to find out more about this fascinating area. -- Vivien Swanson
Health psychology has lacked a text book focusing on child health psychology, but has now found one with this excellent text by Julie Turner-Cobb. Engagingly written in a style that draws the reader in, it covers all the bases and provides an excellent introduction to the area. -- Paul D. Bennett

This is a welcome book which meets a long-neglected need in the field of child and adolescent welfare. It will be an invaluable reference for academics and clinical practitioners alike, but given that Dr Turner-Cobb  writes in such an engaging and lucid style the book should appeal to general readers wishing to gain an understanding of this important topic. Thoroughly recommended.

-- Peter Schabil