Discuss the biopsychosocial model of health and well-being.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to make a considered review of the biopsychosocial model of health and well-being.

The biopsychosocial model uses a holistic approach to understanding health and illness that incorporates sociocultural factors, psychological factors, biological factors and individual behaviours.

The biopsychosocial model includes the following factors:

• biological factors such as genetics, age, sex, nutrition and previous illnesses
• psychological factors, such as health beliefs, habits, health knowledge, coping skills or strategies.
• sociocultural factors such as socio-economic status, peer pressure, family pressure, social norms, social support and availability of health care facilities.

Relevant research includes, but is not limited to:

• Olson and Strawderman’s (2003) study investigating how the biopsychosocial model predicts gestational weight gain
• Gatchel and Peng et al.’s (2007) review of the biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain
• Alonso’s (2004) study on the biopsychosocial model and the evolution of health concepts
• Hoffman and Driscoll’s (2000) study on health promotion and disease prevention using the biopsychosocial model.

Critical discussion points may include, but are not limited to:

• methodological and ethical considerations
• cultural/gender considerations
• usefulness of application
• assumptions and biases
• areas of uncertainty
• comparison with alternative model (the biomedical model).

This was the least popular question in this paper and none of the examiners provided recorded reading enough responses to this question to have valid views on strengths and weaknesses.