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Week 9 Discussion 2
Student’s name
Instructor
Course
Date
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“Describe the health issue you selected and identify key contributors or factors, based on
the biopsychosocial model, that could contribute to the development of the issue (be sure to
include all three aspects of the model). Then describe the role of subjective experience and
how it could influence the mitigation/severity of the issue.”
I've decided to focus on substance abuse as my health concern. Addiction to alcohol or
other drugs, as described by Borrell-Carrie, Suchman & Epstein (2004, p. 565), is characterized
by a maladaptive pattern of substance use and is accompanied by frequent and severe adverse
effects. Alcohol and opioids both fall under the umbrella of substance abuse. The
Biopsychosocial Model (BPS) is a "conglomerate approach" that aims to explain difficulties such
as health concerns and mental illnesses from a biological, psychological, and sociological
perspective.
A person's genetic composition and susceptibility are biological elements contributing to
substance abuse. Another element that may play a role in the development of this syndrome is
the fact that people who have the syndrome themselves may be exposed to it by others (e.g., their
parents) who may be abusive regularly (Bronfenbrenner, 1977).
One's belief system, expectations, attributions of drugs, and personality characteristics are
all psychological factors that contribute to substance misuse, according to Bronfenbrenner
(1977). Additional stressors that might lead to drug abuse are listed by WHO (n.d.), as well as
coping skills and techniques of psychological reinforcement.
Family misuse of drugs (as stated in the biology section) and peer pressure are examples
of sociological factors that may lead to additional substance usage (Bronfenbrenner, 1977). One's
engagement in undesirable subcultures such as delinquent street gangs is included in the concept
of peer pressure.
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A person's ability to control or increase the intensity of their drug usage may be
influenced by their subjective experience, which can be described as their interpretation or view
of their own experiences. This may be shown by one's usage of a restricted drug, such as cocaine,
and then determining whether or not they will continue to use it or stop using it based on the
experience's "pain vs. pleasure" aspect (Borrell-Carrie, Suchman & Epstein, 2004). Ultimately,
this judgment will be made based on the individual's subjective evaluation of the event.
References
Borrell-Carrie, F., Suchman, A. L., & Epstein, R. M. (2004). The biopsychosocial model 25
years later: Principles, practice, and scientific inquiry.?Annals of Family Medicine, 2(6),
576–582.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1977). Toward an experimental ecology of human development.?American
Psychologist,?32(7), 513–531. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.32.7.513
World Health Organization (n.d.). Constitution of WHO: Principles. Retrieved
from?http://www.who.int/about/mission/en/
