Sociology of Health: Biopsychosocial Model and Conflict Theory

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Health Sociology
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Author Note

1SOCIOLOGY
Introduction
Health is defined as the fundamental right and a state that encompasses
complete psychological, physical and social wellbeing of an individual, in addition to
the mere presence of infirmity and disease. Health of persons is also associated with
the environment in which they are residing and their capability to integrate and adapt
to their life context. The relationship that a person shares with the environment is
particularly significant owing to the fact that this form of interaction that summarises
the perception of normality, when compared to pathology (Bury, 2013). The
sociology of health and illness has the capability of examining and investigating the
interaction and correlation between health and the society. The primary objective of
sociology is to determine the impact of social life on rates of mortality and morbidity.
While medical research might be useful in obtaining statistical data on a disease,
having a sociological perspective on particular disease would help in gaining an
insight into the external factors increased the likelihood of the individuals to fall ill.
Biopsychosocial model
Health psychology is most commonly concerned with the psychology of a
plethora of health associated behaviour that encompass healthy eating, relationship
with the doctor, beliefs about diseases and the understanding that a patient has on
health related information. The biopsychosocial model outlooks health and illness as
the direct product of a set of specific behavioural factors (stress, lifestyle, health
beliefs), biological characteristics (genetics), and different social conditions (family
relationships, cultural influences, social support). This model was proposed in 1977
by Engel and implies that all forms of thoughts, feelings and behaviour are capable
of influencing the physical state of a person (Ayers, Franklin & Ring, 2013). He
argued with the age old assumption that biological factors of disease and health
have the worth of being studied and practiced. This model postulates that social and
psychological factors are crucial in influencing the biological functioning of an
organism. According to the model, psychological, biological and social factors are
believed to exist along a range composed of natural systems. A systematic
consideration of the social and psychological factors requires presentation of social
sciences. Hence, both natural and social sciences are imperative to medicine. In
other words, healthy environments are considered as the beginning point for

2SOCIOLOGY
wellbeing and health and contains different components namely, the physical,
cultural, social, and economic environments (Pilgrim, 2015).
Responsive parenting provides children with the opportunity to develop
healthy identity, and/or interpersonal skills. These skills are commonly comprised of
cooperation, communication, and behavioural or emotional regulation. Furthermore,
a sense of belonging also comprises of school, work, family and community and is
established on strong interpersonal skills that are developed during childhood. The
major advantages of this model are based on its awareness of the different levels
existing in nature, holism, and inclusiveness of diverse perspectives. The advocates
of the biopsychosocial model argue for the obligation to think and decide about
treatment of illness via this model (Sarafino & Smith, 2014). They also elaborate on
the fact that behavioural and social factors play an understandable and foremost role
in the overall human health such as, poor eating habits obesity, alcoholism, smoking,
stress, depression, and anxiety. Historically, some of the popular theories such as,
nature versus nurture theory postulated that any one of the biological, social or
psychological factors are adequate to alter the course of development. However, this
biopsychosocial model argues that development of health and an onset of illness can
be defined as an interplay between the genetic makeup, mental health, and
sociocultural environment, which in turn determine the health-related outcomes
(Campbell & Rohrbaugh, 2013).
Some of the common biological effects on health and illness consist of
infections, genetics, nutrition, physical trauma, toxins and hormones. Most of the
disorders are found to occur due to an increase in genetic susceptibility.
Development of schizophrenia in one of the monozygotic twins increases the chance
of the other twin to suffer from the disease by manifolds (Kahn & Keefe, 2013).
Some of the psychological components of the model comprise of negative thinking,
emotional turmoil and lack of self-control. Conversely, poor socioeconomic status,
religious orthodox nature and culture also predispose a person to develop certain
illness (Smith et al., 2013). This is in distinction with the medical model that implied a
reductionist method to understand health problems. It primarily viewed health and
illness in mechanical terms and comprised of history, complaint, ancillary tests,
physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Another distinction with
the biopsychosocial model is that the medical model considered signs and