The purpose of the case study is to give you experience in applying course material to "real-life" situations and to examine issues relating to Health Psychology principles.

Each case study will require at least 300 words, and will be typed and double spaced.

Refer to Stress Case Study for details.

APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

Submit the assignment according to the directions provided by the instructor.


Case Study 1:

Max is a 26-year-old African American male working in an auto parts factory. His job involves a rotating shift including both evening and weekend hours. He works on an assembly line where he has very little control over the decisions made at the plant concerning his day-to-day work. Max is married and has two small children at home. He wants to be a good father and husband as well as a good employee. He is a good caretaker of his family and his dog but he does feel financial strain. When his car broke down last week he was unable to come up with the money for repairs and had to rely on his wife to take him to work. Arguments with his wife are frequent, but he also sees his wife as a good friend and caregiver for him and his children. Max also has a large social structure involving many good friends and family members on whom he feels he can rely on. He exercises regularly but also eats a diet high in fat and smokes on a daily basis. The neighborhood in which he and his family lives is high in crime and he often feels crowded in the city.


Identify the risk and resilience factors in Max's life. Which factors put him at risk for stress and disease and which buffer him against stress and help him to cope? Explain WHY each factor is a risk or resilience factor and how it is related to stress, disease, or coping.