3B: The Biopsychosocial Model

Question 1

Maladaptive behaviour

Answer 1

behaviour that
is unhelpful,
dysfunctional and
non-productive,
and that interferes
with a person’s
ability to adjust to
their environment
appropriately and
effectively

Question 2

Biopsychosocial approch

Answer 2

considers a person’s
development and
mental wellbeing
as influenced by
the interactions
between biological,
psychological and
social factors.

Question 3

Biopsychosocial model

Answer 3

an interdisciplinary
model that looks at
the interconnection
between biology,
psychology and
social factors

Question 4

Who developed the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 4

The biopsychosocial model was first developed
by George L. Engel in 1977

Question 6

Risk factors

Answer 6

a range of factors
that may increase
one’s chances of
developing atypically
or having a mental
disorder

Question 7

Protective factors

Answer 7

a range of factors
that may prevent or
decrease the chances
of developing
atypically or having a
mental disorder

Question 8

How does the Biopsychosocial model incorporate risk factors.

Answer 8

First, the model acknowledges that there are
certain biological, psychological and social
risk factors in our lives that can increase
our likelihood of developing maladaptive
and atypical behaviour patterns or a mental
disorder over the life span.

Question 9

How does the Biopsychosocial model incorporate protective factors.

Answer 9

by recogning the important role of
various biological, social and psychological
protective factors throughout the life span in
reducing risks.

Question 10

Mental wellbeing

Answer 10

a state of emotional
and social wellbeing
in which individuals
realise their own
abilities, can cope
with the normal
stresses of life, can
work productively
and can contribute to
their community

Question 11

Mentally healthy

Answer 11

having no
difficulty with
activities of
everyday living,
and displaying
resilience

Question 12

Mentally healthy people typically:

Answer 12

• have high levels of functioning
• can form positive relationships with others (high levels of social wellbeing)
• can manage their feelings and emotions (high levels of emotional wellbeing)
• can cope with the normal stresses that arise in daily life – that is, they have the resilience
  to cope with and manage change and uncertainty
• can think logically and problem solve
• have a reasonable level of confidence in their abilities and positive self-esteem

Question 13

Mental health problems

Answer 13

relatively short-term disruptions
that affect
the everyday
functioning of an
individual

Question 14

Characteristics
that indicate an individual may be experiencing a mental health problem include:

Answer 14

increased or decreased sleep and appetite
* loss of energy and motivation
* difficulty concentrating
* difficulty focusing on or completing work or study tasks
* irritability
* becoming withdrawn.

Question 15

If a person is in the middle of the wellbeing continuum, what may the person be considered to have?

Answer 15

A mental health problem

Question 16

Mental health problems are typically recognized through the…

Answer 16

disruption that it causes to the everyday functioning of an individual. There is often some disruption
to their usual level of social and emotional
wellbeing. This may be due to a range
of reasons, including relationship or
work stressors

Question 17

Mental disorder

Answer 17

one of a wide
range of usually
long-lasting
conditions that
affect mood,
thinking and
behaviour

Question 18

Mental disorders usually affect..

Answer 18

a person’s mood, thinking and behaviour and are typically
diagnosed using set criteria.

Question 19

The 3D’s

Answer 19

Distress, Dysfunction, Deviance

Question 20

Distress

Answer 20

The distress aspect of the three Ds refers to the unpleasant or upsetting emotions
typically experienced by someone with a mental disorder (e.g. sadness, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed)

Question 21

Dysfunction

Answer 21

The dysfunction aspect refers to the impact the condition has on an
individual’s ability to cope with everyday life and complete daily activities, such as attending
work or school and participating in events with family and friends.

Question 22

Deviance

Answer 22

the deviance
aspect refers to the tendency for mental disorders to make an individual’s thoughts and behaviours inconsistent with the expectations of their culture or society. This could include
speaking out of turn, lashing out at others or socially withdrawing.

Question 23

Characteristics
that indicate an individual may be suffering from a mental health problem are

Answer 23

• reduced levels of day-to-day functioning
• reduced ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty
• impaired ability to engage in social relationships
• significant changes in thoughts, feelings and behaviours, apathy and a lack of interest
• serious or prolonged changes in one’s typical character
• impaired ability to function independently, such as taking care of oneself at home.

Question 24

Maintaining high levels of mental wellbeing is…

Answer 24

Maintaining high levels of mental wellbeing is fundamental to psychological development
and one’s ability to go about everyday life activities, such as attending work or school

Question 25

High levels of functioning

Answer 25

the ability to
carry out a
wide range of
daily activities,
attend to self-care, maintain
interpersonal
relationships
and demonstrate
resilience in the
face of everyday
challenges

Question 26

A mentally healthy person will typically demonstrate high levels of functioning in most areas
of their life. These areas may include

Answer 26

• activities of daily living (e.g. practises self-care and good personal hygiene)
• work or occupational settings (e.g. is productive and achieves targets)
• school settings (e.g. participates and gets along with others)
• within interpersonal relationships (e.g. develops and maintains friendships and
  relationships).

Question 27

Resilience

Answer 27

the ability to
‘bounce back’
to previous
normal levels
of functioning
when faced with
adversity

Question 28

Life stressor

Answer 28

an everyday or
conceivable
event, such as
a relationship
breakdown, work
challenges or
failing a test

Question 29

Social wellbeing

Answer 29

the connections
a person makes
with other
people and their
ability to get
along with others
in a community

Question 30

Wellbeing

Answer 30

the complex
combination
of a person’s
physical, social,
emotional,
mental and
spiritual health
that is linked to
happiness and
life satisfaction

Question 31

Examples of high
levels of social wellbeing include:

Answer 31

• developing positive relationships with family and friends
• respecting and interacting appropriately with people from other ethnic and cultural
  backgrounds
• being able to work as part of a team, such as in the workplace or on a sports team
• contributing to society in some way, such as through a volunteer organisation.

Question 32

Emotional wellbeing

Answer 32

the ability to
feel a range of
emotions and
express these in
a positive way

Question 33

Examples of high levels of emotional wellbeing include:

Answer 33

• being able to express a range of emotions relevant to the context
• being able to control varied emotions and respond to these in a positive manner
• acting in a positive manner and having a
  positive affect
• identifying emotions in others and
  responding appropriately
• responding to setbacks with appropriate
  emotions.

Question 34

Biological factors

Answer 34

a range of
factors that
relate to the
physiological
functioning of
the body

Question 35

Biological factors are

Answer 35

internal factors

Question 36

Biological factors that can affect both mental wellbeing and
psychological development include:

Answer 36

genetics (heredity)
* sex
* hormones
* immune function
* nervous system activity
* physical health
* exposure to drugs or alcohol in the womb
* nutrition
* sleep

Question 37

Genetic vulnerability

Answer 37

an increased
likelihood that
an individual
will develop
atypically or
experience a
mental disorder
due to the DNA
that they carry

Question 38

What are some biological protective factors?

Answer 38

A biological protective factor for maintaining our mental wellbeing is having a
healthy diet. Particularly in childhood, certain nutrients are required for strong growth and development. Getting the right nutrients allows the body to carry out all the processes required to maintain a high level of physical and mental wellbeing.

Getting adequate sleep is also a biological protective factor. Quality sleep is a vital
restorative process that helps to prepare the body for performing daily activities. People
who get enough sleep tend to be less irritable and less likely to get sick. This also means
that when life stressors are encountered, the individual is well placed to overcome them.

Question 39

Psychological factors

Answer 39

a range of factors
that relate to the
functioning of
the brain and the
mind, including
cognitive
and affective
processes such
as thought
patterns and
memory

Question 40

Psychological factors are

Answer 40

internal factors

Question 41

Psychological factors that can
affect both mental wellbeing and psychological development include:

Answer 41

• ways of thinking
• beliefs and attitudes
• emotions and emotional responses, including stress
• learning and memory
• personality traits

Question 42

An example of a psychological factor that can
affect both development and mental wellbeing is…

Answer 42

Stress. Stress occurs when an individual
encounters a stimulus that
challenges their coping mechanisms. The stress response involves biological symptoms, such as increased heart rate and muscle tension, as well as psychological responses, such as feeling overwhelmed or experiencing emotional pressure.

Question 43

Social factors

Answer 43

a range of
factors that
relate to the
conditions in
which people
live and grow

Question 44

Social factors are…

Answer 44

external

Question 45

Examples of
social factors include:

Answer 45

• family dynamics and relationships
• early life experiences
• access to education
• income level of the family
• social supports
• experiences of abuse or neglect
• cultural values
• social norms

Question 46

One example of a social factor that
can affect both development and
mental wellbeing is

Answer 46

Attachment.
This refers to the very first
relationship a baby forms with
its primary caregivers. when a child is provided with consistent care and love, they form a secure attachment with their
caregiver. This acts as a protective
factor, providing a strong basis
for that individual to form solid,
trusting relationships throughout
their life. On the other hand,
if the child forms an insecure-disorganised attachment, this can act as a risk factor for mental health problems and atypical
emotional and social development.

Question 47

Secure attachment

Answer 47

a positive
relationship
between
caregiver and
child, in which
the child displays
confidence when
the parent is
present, mild
distress when
they leave and
quickly seeks
contact when the
parent returns

Question 48

Insecure-disorganised attachment

Answer 48

inconsistent
behaviour
towards a
caregiver,
typically arising
due to a lack of
consistent care
or emotional
support from a
primary caregiver
early in life

Question 49

Resilience to life stressors

Answer 49

Even people with high
levels of mental wellbeing will
experience challenges in their
lives that may cause them grief,
anger and despair. However,
through their capacity to adapt
to or overcome these stressful
circumstances and continue with
day-to-day life, they demonstrate
resilience.