Week 2: The Biopsychosocial Model

Question 1

What is the process of diagnosis and treatment in the Medical Model?

Answer 1

Symptoms -> Tests -> Diagnosis -> Treatment

Question 2

What is clinical formulation?

Answer 2

Hypothesising the origins of a person’s difficulties in context of their relationships, social circumstances and life events

Question 3

What are the four essentials of clinical formulation?

Answer 3

• Comprehension
• Collaboration
• Evidenced
• Provision

Question 4

What does “comprehension” refer to in clinical formulation?

Answer 4

Information about the service user’s difficulties, circumstances, life history and social/cultural influences

Question 5

What does “collaboration” refer to in clinical formulation?

Answer 5

Development and discussion with the service user

Question 6

What does “evidenced” refer to in clinical formulation?

Answer 6

Psychological explanations informed and supported by research evidence

Question 7

What does “provision” refer to in clinical formulation?

Answer 7

Explanations are revised and adapted as new information comes to light

Question 8

Who created the Biopsychosocial Model?

Answer 8

Engel (1977)

Question 9

Why was the Biopsyschosocial Model created?

Answer 9

• Reaction to the “reductionistic” Biomedical Model
• Interplay between biological, psychological and social factors needs to be explored

Question 10

What are the main principles of the Biopsychosocial Model?

Answer 10

• Social and psychological factors are explanatory
• Relationship between practitioner and patient influences understanding of illness

Question 11

What are some examples of biological factors in mental health?

Answer 11

• Genetics
• Substance use
• Learning disorder
• Sex/gender
• Prenatal environment

Question 12

What is temperament?

Answer 12

Individual differences in emotional, motor and attentional reactivity

Question 13

What are some examples of behaviours more common in men?

Answer 13

• Suicide
• Substance use
• Rough sleeping
• Victims of violent crime

Question 14

What are some examples of behaviours more common in women?

Answer 14

• “Common” mental health problems (e.g. anxiety)
• Eating disorders
• PTSD

Question 15

What are some examples of social factors affecting mental health?

Answer 15

• Family, peer & intimate relationships
• School & neighbourhood
• Cultural/religious norms & influences
• Early experiences

Question 16

What are some examples of social factors found to link to poor mental health?

Answer 16

• Low income
• Lack of social support
• Low level of education
• Not living with a partner

Question 17

What are the three adverse childhood experiences (ACE) likely to influence mental health?

Answer 17

• Abuse
• Neglect
• Household dysfunction

Question 18

What are some examples of psychological factors affecting mental health?

Answer 18

• Emotion regulation strategies
• Personality
• Cognitive style
• Attachment style

Question 19

What is the Diathesis Stress Model?

Answer 19

Answer to the nature-nurture debate

Question 20

What are some criticisms of the Biopsychosocial Model?

Answer 20

• Not a coherent theoretical model
• Doesn’t provide a clear direction regarding treatment planning