THE BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL MODEL

The bio-psycho-social theory is a comprehensive psychological model that explains health

outcomes and human behaviour. The importance of the biopsychosocial model in
psychology lies in its recognition that biological, psychological, and social factors interact to
shape human behaviour and mental health outcomes. In contrast to reductionist
approaches, it focuses on integrating biological and psychological factors.
As a university student, this model can be applied to determining a student’s academic
performance and well-being based on biological (e.g., sleep patterns), psychological (e.g.,
stress levels), and social factors (e.g., peer relations). Students’ academic success and well-
being can be enhanced by optimizing sleep hygiene, teaching stress management
techniques, and fostering a supportive social environment based on a bio-psycho-social
model.
Biological factors - Genetic predispositions, physiological processes, and neurochemical
imbalances influence a person’s health and behaviour. For example- a psychologist might
consider genetic factors, such as a family history of depression, or neurochemical
imbalances, such as low serotonin levels when treating patients with depression.
Psychological factors encompass an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural
characteristics. They include thoughts, beliefs, emotions, personality traits, coping
mechanisms, and previous experiences. A psychologist may examine how negative thinking
patterns or traumatic experiences contribute to anxiety symptoms in a patient.
Social factors include family dynamics, social support systems, socioeconomic status,
cultural norms, and societal expectations. Psychologists might examine a person’s ability to
cope with stress and mental health in therapy, such as their social support network.
A biopsychosocial model assists psychologists in adopting a holistic approach when
understanding and addressing clients’ concerns. Considering biological, psychological, and
social factors allows psychologists to develop more comprehensive assessments, treatment
plans, and interventions. According to this model, no single factor alone can fully explain a
person’s behaviour or health outcomes, and therefore it emphasizes the need for a
multidimensional approach.
Despite its widespread acceptance in psychology, the bio-psycho-social model has potential
disadvantages. Including multiple factors has the inherent disadvantage of being complex,
making it difficult to isolate and determine the specific contributions of each. Furthermore,
the model may lack clear guidelines for prioritizing and integrating the different factors,
resulting in variations in application. Several critics claim that the model fails to consider
individual differences and nuances when understanding and treating various conditions. For
practitioners to adapt the biopsychosocial model to each client’s unique needs, it is essential
to consider its limitations carefully.
Bio-psycho-social models go beyond psychology. In addition to health care, sociology, public
health, social work, research, policymaking, and community intervention, it has implications
for a wide range of fields.

References –

Fava, G. A., & Sonino, N. (2008). The biopsychosocial model thirty years later. Psychotherapy
and psychosomatics, 77(1), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1159/000110052

Engel G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: a challenge for biomedicine. Science
(New York, N.Y.), 196(4286), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.847460

https://psychologenie.com/advantages-disadvantages-of-biopsychosocial-model

Tripathi, A., Das, A., & Kar, S. K. (2019). Biopsychosocial Model in Contemporary Psychiatry:
Current Validity and Future Prospects. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 41(6), 582–
585. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_314_19