Health psychology focuses on what?

• A. Arousal
• B. Affiliation tendency
• C. Social behavior
• D. The mental health benefits of sports participation

Answer: (D)

Health psychology examines how psychological, social, and behavioral factors influence physical health, illness, and health-related behaviors, and how interventions can promote well-being. The focus on mental health benefits of sports participation fits this field because regular physical activity reliably improves mood, reduces stress and anxiety, and supports overall mental well-being, illustrating how behavior and lifestyle impact health outcomes. Arousal is a general concept related to physiological and psychological activation, not specifically tied to health outcomes. Affiliation tendency and social behavior are broader social-psychology topics and don’t directly address how actions affect health and illness.