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Psychology and Health Problems
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Introduction
The belief that biological, psychological, sociocultural, and environmental factors combined affect an individual with regard to health and illness is referred to as the multifactorial model. Upon taking this belief into consideration one may ultimately gain a better understanding as to why some people seem prone to frequent illnesses as opposed to those who appear to remain immune to ailment. The multifactorial model allows a more in-depth look into health and illness by examination of the interaction of these factors. Having the understanding that health problems such as the common cold, or more serious issues including heart disease, are able to be more thoroughly approached and managed by considering the whole picture of the individual merits the worthiness of the multifactorial model’s usage. The multifactorial model will aid in presenting a much clearer picture of the issue, allowing for a more comprehensive and effective approach to treatment plans and health management. (Nevid & Rathus, 2005)
Biological Factors
Biological factors such as family history of illness or disease, genetics, age and gender would definitely be helpful in assessing risk of cancer or heart disease. Although helpful, biological factors themselves cannot ensure the individual’s health. Because heart disease runs through generations does not create certainty for inevitable heart disease for the individual. Behavior, stressors, andpersonality traits are possible factors that can contribute to such disease. Modification of thesefactors could alter the individual’s risk. Using the multifactorial model can
offer hope to the individual feeling a sense of impending doom over the anxiety of heart attack to see that changing their behavior, such as eliminating smoking, altering diet, and developing a stress management plan would lower their risk of such an event occurring. (Nevid & Rathus, 2005)
Sociocultural Factors
Sociocultural factors such as economics, religious beliefs, and accessto health services are also examined using the multifactorial model. These factors may not only explain certain health problems but might also aid in the development of a more personalized, effective approach to health management. For example, what is the likelihood of increased incidence of illness among a family comprised of the single parent with three children who due to finances, lack of health benefits in the workplace, is unable effectively address nutritional needs adequately and is limited to low cost health service options for preventative or necessary care? Use of the multifactorial model would allow for the possibility of the individual who might appear hypochondriacally in nature to be explained by conflict in sociocultural circumstances. (Nevid & Rathus, 2005)
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors also aid in diagnosis and treatment by taking a critical look at the environment surrounding the individual. Water quality, pollutants, natural disaster, among any
number of other environmental influences, can all play a significant role in health or the development of illnesses. (Nevid & Rathus, 2005) Water quality by itself can have a plethora of effects on individual health. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a list of possible, regularly occurring contaminates;upon quick glance the possibilities of adverse affects on health are obvious.
Lead is one contaminant familiar to most individual’s. The EPA states that in infants and children the effects of lead can cause “delays in physical or mental development; children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities” (United States Environmental Protection Agency,2007) and in adults kidney problems and high blood pressure can occur. Whether from household plumbing, or natural deposits, lead can affect not only the physical health but the emotional health as well.(United States Environmental Protection Agency,2007) In the instance of lead caused developmental impairments the use of the multifactorial model would allow the psychologist presented with a child having behavioral, or attention, disorder to entertain the possibility of such a factor as lending cause to the symptoms presented.
The Role of Personality
Personality can also affect one’s likelihood of illness. Psychological conflict, levels of optimism or pessimism, depression or anxiety as well as Type A personality traits can be modified to better benefit the individual’s state of health. The individual who carries Type A personality traits wouldbe more prone to common disturbances such as headaches and minor immunity problems as well as having the increased likelihood for coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, or stroke due to their tendency to feel rushed, their competitive nature, propensity to take risks, and their ability to simply exhaust themselves. Modification of thought processes, expectations as well as relaxation techniques and exercise would benefit the individual with the Type A personality. Such modifications, along with proper medical and mental healthcare would therefore ensure a healthier state.(Nevid & Rathus, 2005)
Individual Behavior
An individual’s behavior can also lead to health and illness issues. The multifactorial model also takes the issues presented into account by examining the influence of diet habits, alcohol usage, smoking, exercise regime, patterns of sleep, and interpersonal and social skills, among other behavioral patterns. The multifactorial model suggests behavior can attribute to declined physical and mental health status and modification of certain behavior can increase, or decrease health risks. Common sense would explain the addict who is suffering chronic, or recurrent, illness or presenting with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or possibly bi-polar disorder. Behavior would seem to be an important factor to consider when addressing any physical or mental health issue.(Nevid & Rathus, 2005)
Stressors
Coming full circle on the multifactorial model allows for the consideration of stressors in regard to health. Stressors might explain, and be cause for, frequent illness as the body struggles to protect itself against any illness. Daily hassles may contribute to daily headaches, pain may affect behavior and personality, and major life changes may cause an overflow of emotion ranging from joy to anxiety occurring simultaneously. Hassles create not only mental stress but physical stress as well on the body by raising heart rates and blood pressure thus increasing the risk for heart attack or stroke. Small daily hassles over a prolonged period can take a toll on one’s overall health. Common ailments, or more serious disease, may occur as a result.(Nevid & Rathus, 2005)
Headaches, Coronary Heart Disease and the Role of Psychology
Two health issues that can be explored using the multifactorial model are headaches and coronary heart disease. Psychology has played a role in both the understanding and management of both these health problems. Although one health problem, headaches, seems minor in comparison to the more serious coronary heart disease the multifactorial model helps in explaining both.
The connection between stress in relation to muscle tension headaches and migraine headaches has been studied and allows psychologists to help the patient in management, reduction, or total elimination of such headaches through biofeedback, or relaxation, training. With “20% of people in the United States suffering severe headaches” the need for thorough study is obvious, and the role of psychology in headache management evident. Although headaches can be a symptom of more serious, complex illness it is important to examine the individual from a multi-angle approach, or by use of the multifactorial model, to allow added insight whether there is need for medical intervention or if, perhaps, the headaches can be best treated by psychotherapy.(Nevid & Rathus, 2005)
Coronary heart disease, being the “leading cause of death in the United States” (Nevid & Rathus, 2005) is a more serious health problem in which psychology can play a critical role. With this disease the use of the multifactorial model is essential as examination of family history, physiological conditions, patterns of consumption, Type A behavior, and hostility or anger, work related stresses, chronic emotional stressors, and physical activity levels all add to the risk of coronary heart disease. Thus, each aspect must be addressed to ensure optimal outcomes and a continued state of positive health for the individual. Therefore, it is imperative to approach the patient with coronary heart disease, or risk of such disease, from both the mental health and physical health. If the emotional self such as attitudes, behaviors, and stressors are not addressed and modified along with a medical plan of treatment then this health problem will not be effectively managed and success likely limited. (Nevid & Rathus, 2005)
Conclusion
In conclusion, it becomes evident the importance of the utilization of the multifactorial model in regard to health, both mental and physical as well as in the treatment of illnesses. Armed with the understanding that health is affected by such a plethora of factors and being able to identify such factors, allows the psychologists and patient to benefit by supplying the full background circumstances that may lend in diagnosis and treatment. Further, and most importantly, the use of the multifactorial model allows for any treatment, or management plan, to be tailored to fit each individual personally.
References
Nevid, J.S., & Rathus, S.P.(2005). Psychology and the challenges of life. Adjustment in the new
millenium (9th ed.), John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.(2007).Drinking water contaminants.
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