YEAR 2 - SEM 2 - 5206 - health psychology - biopsychosocial model of addiction and GENDER

why is it important to understand addiction and gender

gender and individual differences can influence addiction risk, behaviour and treatment outcomes

the BPS model emphasis that addiction is not experienced uniformly across people

why is gender important in addiction research

gender influences

• patterns of substance use

• biological responses to substances

• risk factors → trauma

• treatment outcomes

this challenges “one-size-fits-all” models like BDMA

how do biological differences affect addiction across genders

women may be more sensitive to reinforcing effects of substances

faster progression from use → dependence (telescoping effect, though evidence is mixed)

hormonal difference may influence drug response

what is a limitation of biological gender explanation

CRITICAL EVAL → evidence is mixed/inconsistent

and cannot explain social influences on behaviour

therefore, biology is insufficient

how do psychological factors differ by gender

WOMEN - more likely to use substances for coping → stress, trauma

MEN - more likely to use for risk-taking and reward-seeking

shows different motivations for substance use

what role does mental health play

there is a strong link between addiction and conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD

trauma-related pathways may be more prominent in women

why are psychological factor important for evaluation

CRITICAL EVAL → shows that addiction involves

• meaning

• coping strategies

• emotional regulation

NOT JUST BRAIN CHEMISTRY

how do gender roles influence substance use

traditional roles → women drink less and men drink more

cultural expectations shape behaviour

how does parenthood affect substance use

women often reduce use after becoming parents

this reduction is less consistent in men

highlights social responsibility differences

what role do peers and relationships play

partners and friends strongly influence behaviour

couples often have similar substance use patterns

what is the role of stigma

women face greater stigma for substance use

this can reduce help-seeking and worsen outcomes

what is intersectionality in addiction

addiction risk is shaped by overlapping identities such as

• gender

• ethnicity

• sexual orientation

• socioeconomic status

different groups experience different risks and h4rms

why is intersectionality important

explains inequalities in addiction and harm

highlights the role of discrimination, stigma and environment

why must treatment consider gender

different groups have

• different causes of addiction

• different barriers to recovery

treatment must be tailored and personalised

what does effective treatment include

• psychological therapies - coping, relapse prevention

• social support - housing, relationships

• medication - if needed

what factors predict successful recovery

• motivation/readiness to change

• social support

• self-efficacy

• life changes - illness, relationships

what is a major strength of including gender in addiction models

CRITICAL EVAL

• improves accuracy and realism

• explains differences in behaviour and outcomes

• leads to better treatment approaches

what is a limitation of gender-based explanations

risk of overgeneralisation

not all individuals fit gender patterns BUT individual differences still matter

how does the BPS challenge the BDMA

• shows addiction varies across individuals and contexts

• highlights role of social and cultural factors

BDMA is too simplistic on its own

what is a strong critical argument for the BPS

addiction cannot be fully understaff without considering gender and social context, which are largely ignores by pure biological models

what is the conclusion for this model

while biological models highlight important mechanisms, incorporating gender and the biopsychosocial perspective provides a more comprehensive and realistic understanding of addiction

the BPS particularly provides a clear understanding of explain individual difference in risk and recovery