Biopsychosocial Model

Introduction

• BPS model is an interdisciplinary model that assumes that health and wellness are caused by a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
• This model was first explained by by psychiatrist George L. Engel in Science journal in 1977.
• BPS model rejected biomedical model as dogma.

Theoretical Sources

• General systems theory (von Bertalanffy)
• Social cognitive theory
• Cybernetics (von Neumann)
• Information theory
• Game theory
• “Holistic” biology (Dubos, Mayr)

Major Concepts

• This model states mind, body, and environment interact in causing disease.

• Biological component of the model refers to the fact that pathogens like germs and toxins precipitate illness.
• Psychological/behavioural component looks for potential psychological causes for a health problem such lack of self-control, emotional turmoil, and negative thinking.
• The social part of the BPS model explains how different social factors such as socioeconomic status, culture, poverty, technology, and religion can influence health.
• The model presumes that it is important to handle these three factors together when managing health problems.

Application of BPS Model

• E.g. Social isolation and joblessness -------> depression/self-incrimination/sedentary lifestyle ------> hypercholestrolemia/myocardial infarction/diabetes
• BPS model implies that treatment of cancer/diabetes/mental disorders should address biological, psychological and social components of the problem.
• Multi Axial dimension to APA classification of mental disorders - DSM IV and WHOO ICD-10 classification of mental disorders are efforts to apply BPS in mental health care.

References

1. Engel GL. The need for a new medical model: a challenge for biomedicine. Science. 1977;196:129–36.
2. Engel GL. The clinical application of the biopsychosocial model. Am J Psychiatry 1980; 137:535-544 .
3. Psychiatry, Third Edition. Ers. Allan Tasman, Jerald Kay, Jeffrey A. Lieberman, Michael B. First and Mario Maj.John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2008.