biopsychosocial 2B

Key Terms and Definitions

- Psychological Development: An individual’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth over time.

- Biopsychosocial Model: A holistic framework for understanding the human experience in terms of the influence of biological, psychological, and social factors.

- Biological Factors: Genetic and/or physiologically based factors.

- Psychological Factors: Factors relating to a person’s mind, thoughts, or feelings.

- Social Factors: Factors relating to a person’s relationships or external environment.

- Genetic Predisposition: An increased likelihood of developing certain traits or disorders based on genetic makeup.

- Mental Wellbeing: An individual’s current psychological state, involving their ability to think, process information, and regulate emotions.

Summary Notes

The Biopsychosocial Model

- Developed by George Engel in 1977 to challenge the traditional medical model, which focused solely on biological factors.

- Considers how biological, psychological, and social factors interact to influence psychological development and mental wellbeing.

- Emphasizes a holistic view of health, focusing on the whole person rather than just symptoms.

Factors Influencing Psychological Development and Mental Wellbeing

Biological Factors:

- Genetic predispositions

- Medications or substances (e.g., drugs, alcohol)

- Nutrition

- Sleep

- Exercise

- Hormones

- Diseases

Psychological Factors:

- Attitudes or beliefs

- Emotions

- Personality

- Memories

- Thoughts

- Self-esteem

Social Factors:

- Relationships

- Culture

- Socioeconomic status

- Education

- Physical environment

- Social support

Interaction of Factors

- Psychological development and mental wellbeing are influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

- Example: A creative person may have a biological predisposition (brain wiring), a psychological characteristic (open personality), and social influences (music and art lessons, friendships with other creative individuals).

Examples of Applying the Biopsychosocial Model

1. Psychological Development:

   - A child with a genetic predisposition for musical talent (biological) may become a proficient musician if they receive proper training and support (social) and have a strong belief in their abilities (psychological).

2. Mental Wellbeing:

   - A young person experiencing anxiety may be influenced by:

     - Biological: Lack of sleep

     - Psychological: Tendency to think about worst-case scenarios

     - Social: Stress from school assessments

   - Support strategies could include improving sleep hygiene (biological), seeking therapy (psychological), and gaining support from friends or teachers (social).