Biopsychosocial Model and Stress Management

Biopsychosocial Model

• Addresses physical and emotional well-being holistically.
• Uses this approach to treat chronic pain by examining:
  • Biological Factors: injuries, genetics
  • Psychological Factors: stress & anxiety.
  • Social Factors: support systems, lifestyle choices.

Understanding Stress

• Personal experience based on situation interpretation.
• Can come from external events and lead to physical and mental reactions.
• Appraisal: Evaluating a situation to assess its relevance and impact.
• Coping: Strategies used to manage stress, either by solving the problem or managing emotions.

Individual Differences

• Responses to stress vary based on personality, past experiences, and social support.

How Stress Affects Health

• Physiological Effects: Increases blood pressure and heart rate, impacts immune function.
• Behavioral Effects: Leads to poor sleep and unhealthy eating habits.
• Chronic stress can lead to health issues like heart disease.

Placebo and Nocebo Effects

• Placebo Effect: Improvement from a non-active treatments based on belief.
• Nocebo Effect: Negative outcomes from negative expectations.
• These effects highlight the connection between mental factors and physical health.

Transtheoretical Model (TTM) for Health Behavior Change

• Stages of the TTM:
  • Precontemplation: No intention to change.
  • Contemplation: Considering change.
  • Preparation: Planning to change.
  • Action: Actively changing behavior.
  • Maintenance: Sustaining new behaviors.
• Applying TTM to quitting smoking helps tailor support at each stage.

Behavioral Pathogens and Immunogens

• Pathogens: Harmful behaviors affecting health.
• Immunogens: Positive behaviors that promote health.
• Examples:
  • Poor Eating: Linked to obesity, influenced by environment and social factors.
  • Alcohol Use: High risks include liver disease, moderation is key.
• Immunogen Example:
  • Healthy Diet: Linked to better mental and physical health.

Social Determinants of Health

• Non-medical factors (economic, social, educational) that influence health outcomes.
• Distinguishes between anecdotal evidence (personal stories) and empirical data (peer-reviewed research).

Developmental Psychology

• Theories provide a framework for thinking, a lens that guides data collection.
• Nature: Study of human behavior as a function of physical maturation and cognitive development.
• Sensitive Periods (Teratogens): Agents that can cause birth defects and disrupt development (e.g., radiation, chemicals, nicotine, alcohol, drugs).
  • Greatest vulnerability: Embryonic period (up to 8 weeks).
  • Timing of exposure is important: Affects impact.
• Normative Development of Children:
  • Milestones like crawling and walking are sequential but vary in age.
  • Early reflexes aid motor skills.
  • Physical and motor Development: Adolescence is marked by sexual maturation and significant physical changes.
  • Cognitive Development: Understanding oneself and others' perspectives develops as children grow.
  • Social Cognition: Around 18 months, children recognize themselves in the mirror and understand self-awareness (e.g., Rouge experiment).
• Parent-Child Relationship and Parenting:
  • Safe Haven: The caregiver acts as a refuge during distress or illness.
  • Secure Base: The caregiver provides a stable foundation, allowing exploration and independence.
• Attachment Theory:
  • Lorenz's Work: Introduced imprinting in birds, showing a biological basis for attachment.

Challenges in Changing Health Behaviors

• Multiple influences and conflicting health messages make decision-making difficult.

Clinical Neuropsychology

• Studies the relationship between the brain and behavior.
• Combines neurology (nervous system) and psychology (mind).
• Neuropsychologists evaluate individuals through assessments like neuropsychological assessments.
  • These assessments focus on understanding cognitive and behavioral functions.
• Neuropsychological assessments help with:
  • Diagnosis of neurological issues.
  • Documentation for legal purposes.
  • Rehabilitation planning and service access.
  • Future planning for individuals and caregivers.
  • Decision-making capacity evaluations.
• Information technology is crucial for accessing assessment resources.
• Interpreting Neuropsychological Data:
  • Compare individual results to normative data (established standards).
  • Significant deviations may indicate cognitive problems.
• A well-rounded neuropsychological assessment combines:
  • Test results
  • Behavioral observations
  • History
  • Interview information
  • Personality factors.
• This helps create effective treatment plans to improve quality of life.

This quiz explores the biopsychosocial model, focusing on the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in health and stress management. It delves into how stress affects individuals differently and the health implications of chronic stress. Test your understanding of these concepts and their interconnectedness!