Which term describes the idea that mental health outcomes arise from biological, psychological and social factors interacting?

• A. Biomedical model
• B. Biopsychosocial model
• C. Cognitive-behavioral model
• D. Social drift model

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is that mental health outcomes come from the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors. The biopsychosocial model says that genes, brain chemistry and physical health combine with thoughts, emotions, coping styles, and behaviors, as well as relationships, culture and socio-economic conditions, to shape mental health. Because all these elements influence each other, you can’t explain mental health by biology alone, or by psychology alone, or by social factors alone. This approach supports a holistic view of assessment and treatment, combining medical care, therapy to address thinking and feeling, and social supports or environmental changes to improve overall well-being. The other models are narrower: the biomedical view focuses mainly on biology; the cognitive-behavioral view centers on thoughts and behaviors; and the social drift idea relates illness to changes in social status rather than explaining how biology, psychology, and environment work together.