Biopsychosocial Model Example Definition

What is the biopsychosocial model example definition? What are examples of the biopsychosocial model approach?

A biopsychosocial model of health definition

Definition of biopsychosocial – What is the biopsychosocial model? A biopsychosocial model considers biological (genetic and physiological), psychological (thoughts, emotions, and behaviors), and social (culture and family) elements in a pathological process. George Engel devised this model in the 1970s. However, its theoretical grounds and principles cannot be proven by experiment. This model is less biological and more integrative about health and disease.

The ‘bio’ component of this concept explores factors of biology that affect health. These may include brain changes, genetics, or the functioning of crucial body organs like the kidneys, liver, or motor system. The ‘psycho’ component of the theory examines thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. Finally, the social piece of the biopsychosocial model examines social aspects that may affect an individual’s health, such as interactions with people, culture, or economic status.

The elements of the biopsychosocial model are all connected, which is a crucial point to make here. For example, biology can affect psychology, which can affect social well-being, which can affect biology, and so on.

Drs. George Engel and John Romano say that the biopsychosocial approach is a better way to examine what causes mental illness. This model introduces the idea that mental health is affected by biological, psychological, and social factors. This idea shows how the outside world affects a person’s body and mind. It also has to do with our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Examples of the biopsychosocial model

To understand a person’s mental health, we need to look at all the things that affect them, both positively and negatively, so we can get a better idea of their overall health and well-being.

The biopsychosocial approach takes a systematic look at how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness and how they interact with each other.

Biopsychosocial model example

For an example of the biopsychosocial model, let’s say Maria has an accident that limits her right arm’s movement. This biological change could affect how she feels about herself, leading to anxiety or depression in some situations.

Maria could go through a lot of different mental changes. For example, she might have lower self-esteem, fear being judged, or feel like she isn’t good enough in her job or life.

These changes in her thoughts could lead to changes in her actions, like avoiding certain situations, staying at home, or quitting her job. But, on the other hand, as she keeps doing these things, her injury could get worse, or she could feel more depression and anxiety.

Maria’s role in her home could be a social factor for her. Maybe Maria is a new mom. If she hurts her arm, she might be unable to take care of her new baby. Maria might have trouble with her husband or other family members if she can’t fill this social role. This stress could lead to more physical or mental problems.

Maria’s biological state changed, which changed her mental state and how she interacted with other people, which in turn changed Maria’s biological state again.

Doctors, social workers, and psychiatrists can get more personalized information about Maria by using all three parts of the biopsychosocial model together. The broader range of information clarifies the treatment plan and makes it easier to track how it’s being carried out and coordinate preventive care after treatment.

As a result, a complete analysis and treatment plan are made.

Biopsychosocial approach meaning

George Engel created the biopsychosocial model in the 1970s. The model explains how biology, psychology, and social interactions affect health and disease. However, many model features cannot be proven or explored experimentally. Therefore it’s more of a philosophy than a science.

The biopsychosocial model tries to comprehend patient suffering and disease on sociocultural and biological levels. At the time, science had become reductionistic, analytical, and specialized.

Many mid-20th-century doctors began to view their patients as objects rather than humans, which led to the birth of the biopsychosocial model. George Engel believes medicine has become dehumanized.

The biopsychosocial perspective is so helpful because it explains how some “healthy” people can get mental illnesses and why some people are more likely to get mental illnesses than others.

People who are mentally healthy probably work out, have a positive attitude and have strong social ties, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get sick.

The biopsychosocial perspective shows that even if a person is mentally healthy at some point in life, they can still get mental illness if their biopsychosocial balance is upset.

Well, I hope you all understand the biopsychosocial model approach and examples.