Human Behavioral Ecology and Health Outcomes
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral and Mental Health".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 1683
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The biopsychosocial model of health and illness has dominated the field for almost half a century, and for good reason, as it has provided us with a deeper understanding of the interactions between the biological, behavioral and socio-cultural determinants of health outcomes. However, the integration of these findings within a broader theoretical framework of behavioral evolutionary sciences is a rather new development. Since both physical and mental health outcomes are influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, behavior, and culture—all of which are central to the study of human behavioral ecology—this theoretical framework can provide a valuable lens for understanding the complex interplay of biological, environmental, and cultural factors that influence health outcomes. For example, social support networks can have a powerful impact on health outcomes, and many health disparities can be attributed to differences in social and economic statuses. The concept of life history strategy has also provided a very fruitful line of research regarding health outcomes, as different strategies influence the timing and pattern of exposure to a range of environmental and social stressors. For instance, individuals who adopt a faster life history strategy and reproduce earlier may be exposed to greater levels of stress during pregnancy and childbirth, which can increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight and preterm delivery. Related behavioral sciences, such as evolutionary psychology, studying evolved psychological mechanisms, can also offer additional layer of explanations to the mechanisms studied within the aforementioned biopsychosocial model. The textbook example pertains to the notion that many modern health problems, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease, may be rooted in evolutionary adaptations that allowed our ancestors to survive in environments with limited access to food; however, in modern environments where food is abundant and easily accessible, such adaptations can lead to health problems. Finally, the study of cultural factors can help to identify cultural practices and beliefs that impact health outcomes.
In summary, the general aim of this Special Issue is to encourage the conceptual integration of classic biopsychosocial models with evolutionary behavioral sciences, by inviting researchers who study health outcomes from the viewpoint of human behavioral ecology, evolutionary psychology, anthropology, evolutionary medicine, or any of the related behavioral evolutionary disciplines. Thus, the topics we would like to address include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Life history strategy and health outcomes (including the mediators of their relation, such as exposure to environmental stressors);
- Social status and economic resources as predictors of health outcomes;
- Social relationships (cooperation and conflict) and health outcomes;
- The effects of maternal investment during pregnancy and early childhood on children’s health (e.g., growth and immune system development);
- The effects of different human mating strategies (e.g., sexual behavior and partner selection) on both the parent and their offspring’s health outcomes;
- The effect of lifestyle on health outcomes (e.g., modern, sedentary behavior with high levels of stress; evolutionary mismatch hypothesis);
- The role of individual differences (e.g., coping mechanisms, personality traits, behavioral immune system reactivity, health beliefs, etc.) in health outcomes;
- Cultural practices and beliefs that impact health outcomes.
Dr. Ivana Hromatko
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- mental health
- physical health
- human behavioral ecology
- life history strategy
- evolutionary psychology
- evolutionary medicine
- biopsychosocial model
