What Are the Three Aspects of the Biopsychosocial Model?
How do each of these components inform the model as a whole?
Biological
Biology refers to ourgenetics, physical health, and the functioning of our organ systems.
Maskot/Getty Images
Our physical well-being impacts our mental health for multiple reasons.
First, our brain is an organ and can become unwell just like any other organ.
Second, physical health conditions can wear on mental health.
For example, chronic pain can lead to symptoms of depression.
Additionally, just like we can havegenetic predispositionto a physical disability, mental health has genetic roots as well.
In other words, Whatever the phenotypical expression, genetics does play a role to some degree.
The expression is in turn influenced by the environment.
Psychological
Mental health is health, and ones psychological well-being impacts both mental and physical health.
Addressing these symptoms is key in improving mental health.
Changes in onesenvironmentcan impact mental health, both positively and negatively.
How can researchers study controlled variables in a model that requires holistic care that takes individual needs into account?
Therapy services to treat, for example, depression triggered by an under-functioningthyroidis unlikely to be effective.
This model lets providers see the whole person beyond their presenting symptoms.
It can help individuals better understand themselves as complex, whole beings as well.
Engel GL.The need for a new medical model: a challenge for biomedicine.Science.
2019;24(4):484-496. doi:10.1080/02673843.2019.1568887
