Pandemics pose significant public health and policy challenges, as well as cause

psychological distress in large segments of the population. Dr Taylor has pulled

together a wide range of research to provide a clear, engaging and scholarly analysis
of historical, social, and psychological factors involved in pandemics. This text will
prove a valuable resource for policy-makers who are engaged in public health and
management in times of health crises. It will also be highly useful for mental health
practitioners who regularly treat anxious individuals, a group particularly susceptible
to distress in times of pandemic risk. A true must-read! --Dean McKay, Professor of
Psychology, Fordham University

In the first volume of its kind, The Psychology of Pandemics addresses the role of

psychological factors in understanding pandemics and preventing the spread of
infection. Building on his own seminal work in the area of anxiety and fear, and
drawing from research from public health, social psychology, epidemiology, and
several other disciplines, Taylor reveals the psychology behind pandemics and lays
out strategies for changing the psychosocial factors that contribute to the spread of
disease. This highly accessible and well researched book is strongly recommended
for anyone interested in this important topic especially those working in the area of
public health. --Martin M. Antony, Professor of Psychology, Ryerson University

This is an innovative book that offers a comprehensive review of the psychological

correlates and consequences of pandemics. The author is an internationally
renowned expert that provides an engaging and insightful analysis of complex
phenomena. This thoughtful book is guaranteed to be of interest to academics and
the general public. --Bunmi O. Olatunji, Professor of Psychology and Director of
Clinical Training, Vanderbilt University

About the Author

Steven Taylor, PhD, is a Professor and Clinical Psychologist in the Department of
Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He received his MSc from
the University of Melbourne, and his PhD from the University of British Columbia. His
research and clinical work has focused largely on anxiety disorders and related
clinical conditions, including fears and phobias, health anxiety, posttraumatic stress
disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. He has authored over 300 scientific
publications and more than 20 books, which have been translated into many
languages. His books include Understanding and Treating Panic Disorder, Treating
Health Anxiety, and Clinicians Guide to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. He has also
served as Editor and Associate Editor of several academic journals,
including Behaviour Research and Therapy, Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, and
the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. He maintains a clinical
practice in Vancouver, BC, specializing in mood and anxiety disorders.