The goal of this volume is to examine how our understanding of self and social identity is linked to physical health and disease. The book is organized around four topics: 1. the self-regulation model used by health psychologists as well as the cultural system through which the individual experiences illness and its treatment, 2. stress, emotion, and coping, 3. behaviour patterns that enhance or damage an individual's health, and 4. the impact of physical illness on the person who assumes the "sick role".