Health Psychology

Biopsychosocial model of health and well-being

Biopsychosocial model of health and well-being

The biopsychosocial (BPS) model of health and well-being is a holistic approach that considers the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in determining health outcomes. Here are the factors that fall under each category:

Biological factors:

• Genetics

• Physiology

• Neurochemistry

• Hormones

• Immune system

Psychological factors:

• Thoughts

• Emotions

• Behaviors

• Coping mechanisms

• Personality traits

Social factors:

• Family dynamics

• Social support

• Socioeconomic status

• Culture

• Environmental factors

The BPS model recognizes that health and well-being are not solely determined by biological factors, but also by psychological and social factors. It emphasizes the importance of addressing all three factors in order to promote optimal health outcomes.

Dispositional factors of health

• Dispositional factors refer to an individual's inherent personality traits or characteristics that influence their health outcomes.

• In the context of stress, dispositional factors can affect how an individual perceives and copes with stressors.

• Individuals with high levels of neuroticism may be more likely to perceive stressors as threatening and experience negative health outcomes as a result.

• Individuals with high levels of resilience may be better equipped to cope with stressors and experience fewer negative health outcomes.

• Dispositional factors play an important role in the relationship between stress and health.

Health beliefs

• Health beliefs can affect how individuals perceive and cope with stress.

• Believing that stress is harmful to health can lead to experiencing more negative effects of stress.

• Cultural and religious beliefs can influence how individuals view stress and cope with it.

• Different cultures may prioritize different coping mechanisms, such as social support or individual strategies like meditation or exercise.

• An individual's health beliefs can impact their stress levels and how they manage stress.

Risk factors regarding stress

• Genetics

• Personality traits

• Life experiences

• Environmental factors

  • Work demands

  • Financial stress

  • Social support

Protective factors regarding stress

Here are some protective factors regarding stress that can help individuals cope with stress:

• Social support from family, friends, or a support group can help individuals manage stress and provide a sense of belonging and connection.

• Positive coping strategies such as exercise, meditation, or relaxation techniques can help individuals reduce stress and improve their overall well-being.

• Resilience, or the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity, can help individuals cope with stress and overcome challenges.

• Positive self-talk and a growth mindset can help individuals reframe negative thoughts and view stress as an opportunity for growth and learning.

• Access to resources such as mental health services, financial assistance, or job training can help individuals address the root causes of stress and build resilience.

Stress as a health problem

Prevalance rates of stress as a health problem

• According to the American Psychological Association, stress is a significant health problem in the United States.

• In a survey conducted in 2019, 69% of respondents reported experiencing physical and psychological symptoms of stress, such as headaches, fatigue, and irritability.

• 56% of respondents reported that stress has negatively impacted their personal and professional lives.

• These statistics highlight the prevalence of stress as a health problem.

• The statistics also emphasize the need for effective stress management strategies.

Health promotion regarding stress

• Health promotion regarding stress aims to prevent or reduce the negative effects of stress on an individual's physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

• Strategies and interventions for health promotion regarding stress include:

  • Education on stress management techniques, such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises.

  • Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep.

  • Addressing the root causes of stress, such as work or relationship issues.

  • Providing resources and support to help individuals cope with stressors.

• The goal of health promotion regarding stress is to empower individuals to take control of their stress levels and improve their overall health and quality of life.

• A stress reduction program can include various activities such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, physical exercise, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. For example, a workplace stress reduction program can involve offering employees access to stress management workshops, providing healthy snacks and drinks, encouraging regular breaks, and promoting a positive work-life balance. Additionally, the program can offer resources such as counseling services and employee assistance programs to help individuals cope with stress.

  In 2019, the Canadian government launched a mental health strategy that included a focus on reducing workplace stress. As part of this strategy, the government committed to providing federal employees with access to mental health resources and support, including stress management workshops and counseling services. The government also pledged to promote a healthy work-life balance by encouraging flexible work arrangements and promoting the use of vacation time. This initiative aimed to reduce stress and improve the overall mental health and well-being of federal employees.

Effectiveness of health programmes regarding stress

• Health programs can be effective in reducing stress levels and improving overall well-being.

• Stress management techniques such as mindfulness meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and physical exercise can be included in these programs.

• The effectiveness of these programs can be measured through various methods such as self-reported stress levels, physiological measures like cortisol levels, and improvements in mental health outcomes.

• The success of these programs may depend on individual factors such as motivation, adherence to the program, and the severity of the stressor.

Suls and Rothman (2004)

Aim:

• To investigate the relationship between self-regulation and health behavior.

Method:

• Meta-analysis of 138 studies.

Sample of Participants:

• The studies included in the meta-analysis had a total of 117,015 participants.

Procedure:

• The researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify studies that examined the relationship between self-regulation and health behavior.

• They used statistical techniques to analyze the data from the studies and to determine the strength of the relationship between self-regulation and health behavior.

Results:

• The meta-analysis found a significant positive relationship between self-regulation and health behavior.

• The relationship was strongest for behaviors that required ongoing self-regulation, such as exercise and diet.

• The relationship was weaker for behaviors that required less ongoing self-regulation, such as getting a flu shot.

Conclusion:

• The findings suggest that self-regulation is an important factor in health behavior.

• The researchers recommend that interventions aimed at improving health behavior should focus on enhancing self-regulation skills.

Distress vs Eustress

Distress:

• Negative stress

• Causes anxiety, fear, and discomfort

• Can lead to physical and mental health problems

• Hinders performance and productivity

• Examples: losing a job, failing an exam, going through a breakup

Eustress:

• Positive stress

• Motivates and energizes

• Enhances performance and productivity

• Can lead to personal growth and development

• Examples: getting a promotion, starting a new job, taking on a challenging project

Schneiderman et al (2005)

Sure, here are the lists for Schneiderman et al (2005):

Aim:

• To investigate the effects of stress management training on immune function in patients with HIV.

• To examine the relationship between stress and immune function in patients with HIV.

Method:

• Quasi-experimental design with a control group.

• Participants were randomly assigned to either a stress management training group or a control group.

• The stress management training group received 10 weekly sessions of cognitive-behavioral stress management training.

• The control group received no intervention.

Sample of Participants:

• 97 patients with HIV.

• 68% male, 32% female.

• Mean age of 39 years.

• Majority were African American (57%) or Hispanic (25%).

Procedure:

• Participants completed a battery of psychological and physiological measures at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.

• Measures included assessments of stress, mood, coping, social support, and immune function.

Results:

• Participants in the stress management training group showed significant improvements in immune function compared to the control group.

• The stress management training group also showed significant improvements in stress, mood, coping, and social support.

• These effects were maintained at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusion:

• Stress management training can improve immune function in patients with HIV.

• Stress management training can also improve psychological well-being in patients with HIV.

• These findings have important implications for the management of HIV/AIDS.

Hewstone et al (2005)

Sure, here are the lists for Hewstone et al (2005):

Aim:

• To investigate the effects of extended contact on reducing prejudice between groups.

Method:

• Quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test measures.

• Participants were assigned to either an extended contact condition or a control condition.

Sample of Participants:

• 463 secondary school students in England.

• Participants were from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Procedure:

• Participants completed a questionnaire measuring their attitudes towards different ethnic and religious groups.

• The extended contact condition involved reading stories about positive interactions between members of different groups.

• The control condition involved reading stories about unrelated topics.

• Participants completed the same questionnaire again after the intervention.

Results:

• Participants in the extended contact condition showed a significant reduction in prejudice towards outgroups compared to the control condition.

• The effect was strongest for participants who initially held the most negative attitudes towards outgroups.

Conclusion:

• Extended contact can be an effective intervention for reducing prejudice between groups.

• The effect is strongest for those who initially hold the most negative attitudes towards outgroups.

Adler and Matthews (1994)

Aim:

• To investigate the relationship between stress and illness.

Method:

• Correlational study.

Sample of Participants:

• 394 participants from a community sample.

Procedure:

• Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed their levels of stress and illness.

Results:

• Significant positive correlation between stress and illness.

• Participants with higher levels of stress reported more illnesses.

Conclusion:

• The findings suggest that there is a relationship between stress and illness, and that stress may be a contributing factor to the development of illness.