3B: The Biopsychosocial Model Flashcards
The biopsychosocial approach as a model for considering psychological development and mental wellbeing.
Distress
the unpleasant or upsetting emotions
Dysfunction
the impact the condition has on an
individual’s ability to cope
Deviance
inconsistance thoughts and behaviours
Life stressor
an everyday or
conceivable
event, such as
a relationship
breakdown, work
challenges or
failing a test
What are biological factors in the biopsychosocial approach?
Factors that influence psychological development and mental wellbeing, including genetic vulnerability and physical health.
Examples include hereditary factors and prenatal exposure to harmful substances.
What are psychological factors in the biopsychosocial approach?
Internal factors specific to the individual that influence their mental wellbeing, such as emotional and cognitive processes.
Includes resilience and maladaptive behavior.
What are social factors in the biopsychosocial approach?
Environmental influences that affect an individual’s mental wellbeing, such as family dynamics and community support.
Examples include parental education and socioeconomic status.
Define mental wellbeing.
A state of emotional and social wellbeing where individuals realize their abilities, cope with normal life stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community.
What is developmental dyslexia (DD)?
A learning disorder affecting 5–12% of the population, characterized by difficulty reading due to problems with speech sounds and their relation to letters and words.
What are some biological risk factors for developmental dyslexia?
- Hereditary factors
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Prenatal exposure to harmful substances
What are some environmental risk factors for developmental dyslexia?
- Lower levels of parental education
- Lower socioeconomic status
- Excessive exposure to stress
What are protective factors for developmental dyslexia?
- Tutoring
- Specialized education programs
- Counseling
- Emotional support
What is maladaptive behavior?
Behavior that is unhelpful, dysfunctional, and interferes with a person’s ability to adjust to their environment appropriately and effectively.
What does mental health problems refer to?
Relatively short-term disruptions that affect an individual’s everyday functioning.
What are the three Ds associated with mental disorders?
- Distress
- Dysfunction
- Deviance
What characterizes individuals with high levels of mental wellbeing?
- High levels of functioning
- Resilience to life stressors
- Social and emotional wellbeing
List two characteristics of mentally healthy people.
- High levels of functioning
- Can form positive relationships with others
What does resilience mean in the context of mental wellbeing?
The ability to ‘bounce back’ to previous normal levels of functioning when faced with adversity.
What is the difference between risk factors and protective factors?
- Risk factors increase the chances of developing atypical behavior or mental disorders
- Protective factors decrease the chances of developing atypical behavior or mental disorders
What is the mental wellbeing continuum?
A spectrum that represents an individual’s mental wellbeing from high to low, influenced by life experiences and coping abilities.
What is social wellbeing?
The connections a person makes with other people and their ability to get along with others in a community
Define resilience in the context of mental wellbeing.
The ability to ‘bounce back’ to previous normal levels of functioning when faced with adversity
What are examples of life stressors that might require resilience?
- Relationship breakdowns
- Losing a home in a bushfire
- Death of a loved one
- Work challenges
- Failing a test or assessment
What is meant by high levels of functioning?
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
What are the key features of emotional wellbeing?
- Ability to feel a range of emotions
- Control and positive response to emotions
- Positive affect
- Identifying emotions in others
- Appropriate responses to setbacks
What does the term ‘wellbeing’ encompass?
The complex combination of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual health linked to happiness and life satisfaction
What are the six wellness domains referenced by the Australian Psychological Society?
- Physical
- Social
- Emotional
- Mental
- Spiritual
- Cultural
What does the psychological dimension of wellbeing acknowledge?
The rich connections we make throughout our lives and the stimuli experienced via our senses
List some biological factors that can affect mental wellbeing.
- Genetics
- Sex
- Hormones
- Immune function
- Nervous system activity
- Physical health
- Nutrition
- Sleep
What role does a healthy diet play in mental wellbeing?
It acts as a biological protective factor, providing necessary nutrients for growth and resilience
What is the impact of stress on psychological development?
Chronic stress exposure can disrupt brain architecture and lead to cognitive impairments
What are the psychological factors that influence mental wellbeing?
- Ways of thinking
- Beliefs and attitudes
- Emotions and emotional responses
- Learning and memory
- Personality traits
What does the cultural dimension of wellbeing encompass?
Healing, ceremony, and traditional law, symbolizing a vibrant and dynamic aspect of life
What is the significance of sleep in maintaining mental wellbeing?
Quality sleep is essential for restoring the body and preparing it for daily activities, aiding resilience
What does the social dimension of wellbeing recognize?
The importance of family and the presence of past generations in a shared community
What is stress?
Stress occurs when an individual encounters a stimulus that challenges their coping mechanisms.
Stress can be triggered by life events.
What are biological symptoms of stress?
Biological symptoms include increased heart rate and muscle tension.
These symptoms are part of the body’s stress response.
What psychological responses are associated with stress?
Psychological responses include feeling overwhelmed and experiencing emotional pressure.
What is toxic stress?
Toxic stress refers to strong, frequent, and/or prolonged stress during childhood that can disrupt brain development.
What are potential long-term health problems associated with adverse childhood experiences?
Potential health problems include:
* Heart disease
* Diabetes
* Substance abuse
* Depression
How can supportive relationships protect against stress?
Low exposure to stress due to supportive, responsive relationships can act as a protective factor.
What does the social component of the biopsychosocial approach refer to?
It refers to the influences on development and wellbeing of the conditions in which people live and grow.
List examples of social factors that influence development and mental wellbeing.
Examples include:
* 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
What is attachment in the context of child development?
Attachment refers to the first relationship a baby forms with its primary caregivers.
What is secure attachment?
Secure attachment is a positive relationship where the child displays confidence when the caregiver is present.
What is insecure-disorganized attachment?
Insecure-disorganized attachment is characterized by inconsistent behavior towards a caregiver, often due to a lack of consistent care.
Explain the concept of biological risk factors.
Biological risk factors are physical or genetic conditions that can negatively impact mental wellbeing.
What is genetic vulnerability?
Genetic vulnerability refers to inherited traits that increase the likelihood of developing mental health issues.
Contrast psychological and biological factors.
Psychological factors involve mental processes, while biological factors relate to physical and genetic conditions.
Why is stress considered a psychological risk factor?
Stress is a psychological risk factor because it can lead to mental health problems when experienced frequently or intensely.
Identify three examples of social factors.
Examples include:
* Family dynamics
* Access to education
* Cultural values
What is the biopsychosocial approach?
The biopsychosocial approach considers biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental health.
How can community connection influence mental wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Connection to community provides support, cultural identity, and resilience, enhancing mental wellbeing.
Provide a similarity and a difference between biological and psychological factors.
Similarity: Both affect mental health. Difference: Biological factors are physical, while psychological factors are mental.
How can social factors be differentiated from biological and psychological factors?
Social factors are external influences related to environment and culture, while biological and psychological factors are internal.
Give an example of the holistic nature of the biopsychosocial approach.
Considering how stress (psychological), genetics (biological), and family support (social) collectively influence development.
