Unit 4 AOS 2: What Influences Mental Wellbeing?

Vocabulary practice cards for Unit 4 Area of Study 2, covering the biopsychosocial approach to mental health, specific phobias, evidence-based interventions, and maintenance strategies including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

Mental Health

A state of wellbeing that can be considered through levels of functioning, resilience, and social and emotional wellbeing ($SEWB$).

Resilience

The ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty.

Social and Emotional Wellbeing ($SEWB$)

A multidimensional and holistic framework for wellbeing specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that encapsulates all elements of being: body, mind and emotions, family and kinship, community, culture, country, spirituality, and ancestors.

Mental Wellbeing Continuum

A model illustrating that mental wellbeing is influenced by the interaction of internal and external factors and fluctuates over time, ranging through variations of stress, anxiety, and phobia.

Internal Factors

Factors influencing mental wellbeing that originate within the individual, categorized into biological and psychological factors.

External Factors

Factors influencing mental wellbeing that originate from outside the individual, primarily categorized as social factors.

Specific Phobia

A condition explained using a biopsychosocial approach as a scientific model to understand the interaction of biological, psychological, and social contributing factors.

Gamma-amino Butyric Acid ($GABA$) Dysfunction

A biological contributing factor to specific phobia involving the impairment of the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Long-term Potentiation

A biological factor that contributes to the development and strengthening of the association between a phobic stimulus and a fear response.

Precipitation by Classical Conditioning

A psychological behavioral model explaining how a specific phobia is initially developed or triggered.

Perpetuation by Operant Conditioning

A psychological behavioral model explaining how the avoidance of a phobic stimulus acts as negative reinforcement, thereby maintaining the phobia.

Cognitive Biases

Psychological contributing factors to phobia involving errors in judgment or interpretation, including memory bias and catastrophic thinking.

Memory Bias

A cognitive bias where a person's current knowledge or beliefs distort their recall of past events related to a phobic stimulus.

Catastrophic Thinking

A cognitive bias involving an individual overestimating the potential danger or predicted outcome of a phobic encounter.

Specific Environmental Triggers

A social contributing factor where a direct negative experience with an object or situation in the environment leads to a phobia.

Stigma Around Seeking Treatment

A social contributing factor where feelings of shame or fear of judgment prevent an individual from obtaining help for phobia.

Benzodiazepines

Short-acting anti-anxiety agents that function as $GABA$ agonists to assist in the biological management of phobic anxiety.

Breathing Retraining

A biological intervention involving relaxation techniques to help manage the physiological symptoms of phobic anxiety.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ($CBT$)

A psychological intervention used as a psychotherapeutic treatment to replace unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors with healthier ones.

Systematic Desensitisation

A psychotherapeutic treatment for phobia that involves gradual, graduated exposure to a phobic stimulus while practicing relaxation.

Psychoeducation

A social intervention for families and supporters that involves teaching them to challenge unrealistic or anxious thoughts and to avoid encouraging avoidance behaviors.

Biological Protective Factors

Factors that help maintain mental wellbeing, including adequate nutritional intake, hydration, and sleep.

Psychological Protective Factors

Strategies for maintaining mental wellbeing, such as cognitive behavioural strategies and mindfulness meditation.

Social Protective Factors

Authentic and energising support from family, friends, and the community that contributes to the maintenance of mental health.

Cultural Continuity

A cultural determinant and integral factor for the maintenance of wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Self-determination

A cultural determinant essential for the maintenance of wellbeing and autonomy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.