Understanding the Biopsychosocial model

This informal CPD article, ‘Understanding the Biopsychosocial model’, was provided by Isle Listen, who offer employee counselling services and deliver comprehensive professional mental health training courses aimed at improving workplace wellbeing in community groups and businesses across the Isle of Man.

The question of how we can struggle or thrive with our physical and mental health has been pondered for as long as we have had records. Famous philosophers debated health, friendship and challenge regularly and started the journey into the holistic approach used in the world of psychology today.

Positive health requires a knowledge of man's primary constitution and of the powers of various foods, both those natural to them and those resulting from human skill. But eating alone is not enough for health. There must also be exercise, of which the effects must likewise be known. The combination of these two things makes regimen, when proper attention is given to the season of the year, the changes of the wind, the age of the individual, and the situation of his home. If there is any deficiency in food or exercise, the body will fall sick.

-        Hippocrates

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend.

-        Lao-Tzu, 6th cent. BC, Chinese philosopher

Fast forward to the 1970’s when Dr. George Engel and Dr. John Romano developed a model that considered three key areas for a holistic approach, Biological, Psychological and Social - the Biopsychosocial model. This was a key step in our understanding that we cannot simply focus on one area completely if we want to encourage people to thrive for a better life and to also consider areas that could make someone struggle with their physical and mental health.

Biological:  This area focuses on predetermined chemical responses, genetics, physical disabilities and environmental factors alongside other areas such as active or sedentary lifestyle, medicines and reactions to stressors.

Psychological: Factors that strengthen or weaken this area will include education levels/opportunities, challenge in personal areas such as sport, music and other lifestyle areas and interests a person may have that builds self-confidence & self-esteem.

Social: Relationships with family, friends and colleagues help in this area, as a person ages this is an area we may see a decline in, and isolation and loneliness can be a key factor.

What makes this model work for many is the holistic factor. Dr. George Engel and Dr. John Romano had a great understanding that a person could be weak in one area and still be ok, they may not need any intervention or support at all and it would be folly to presume this, it could lead to stripping away the self-resilience factor that we would want to encourage.

We see evidence in this with many inspiring people. Think about Professor Stephen Hawking; the biological factor was unkind to him but his work boosted the psychological factor and the support he received from loved ones addressed the social factor, and he thrived!

We should consider that for a holistic view, loneliness and isolation (Social) might be factors we cannot change within our own situations. However, there are areas we can work on ourselves or with the support of others. Keeping ourselves busy and challenged (Psychological) and encouraging good chemicals through an activity or medicine will help. If we are managing all three areas we can build our resilience factor and thrive. If we are lacking in all three areas, the outlook becomes more complicated.

In conclusion, a glance at the Biopsychosocial model will be helpful in understanding a holistic approach for someone struggling with their mental health. It is not simply allocating the issues down in to one particular area, but instead looks at the many factors that could be considered in trying to improve a situation for the individual. On the flip side is the link to resilience and the biopsychosocial model. Acting more proactively a person could explore the biological, psychological and social areas that they could improve upon that will ultimately strengthen their resolve when faced with unpredictable setbacks.

We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Isle Listen, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.