Biopsychosocial Model

Question 1

List the strategies for coping with stress (BPS).

Answer 1

Biofeedback (B)
Mediation and relaxation (B) 
Physical exercise (B)
Social support (S)
CBT (P)
Cognitive therapy (P)
Behaviour therapy (P)

Question 2

What is biofeedback? What is its process?

Answer 2

Technique that enables an individual to receive information about automatic bodily processes and, with training, learn to control these physiological responses. Process:

• Patient given info about automatic physiological responses that indicate level of stress.
• Patient taught strategies to alter these physiological responses.
• Patient can learn to control physiological responses and reduce stress response.

Question 3

What are the key differences between meditation and relaxation?

Answer 3

Meditation is active process while relaxation passive process.
Meditation focuses attention & thoughts relaxation releases thoughts.
Meditation ASC while relaxation is NWC
Mediation has alpha and theta while relaxation just alpha brainwaves.

Question 4

How can physical exercise help cope with stress?

Answer 4

Helps use excess stress hormones and allows immune system to strengthen. Also help to reduce muscle tension. The release of endorphins helps improve mood and stress-related tension.

Question 5

What are the key ideas of social support?

Answer 5

Appraisal support- help that improves the individuals understanding of the stressful event. Allows you to reassess situation.
Tangible assistance- involves provision of material support that may help offset the effects of a stressful event.
Information support- ideas on how to cope.
Emotional support- reassuring the individual that they are valued and cared for.

Question 6

What is cognitive therapy?

Answer 6

Talking therapy that focuses on the role of automatic thoughts, beliefs and attitudes in determining emotions and behaviours.

Question 7

Outline the behaviour therapy.

Answer 7

Application of learning theories, such as classical and operant conditioning. Deals with dysfunctional behaviours like avoidance. Often involves exposing the person to new environmental conditions to help ‘retain’ them so that more adaptive behaviours are conditioned (gradual exposure or flooding).

Question 8

What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 8

BPS model describes how biological, psychological and social factors interact to influence a person’s physical and mental health. These factors can contribute to conditions and also be used in the management of conditions.