Key Concepts
- Health problems are explained through biological, psychological, and social factors, consistent with the BPS model.
- Biological explanations include genetic predispositions and neurochemical imbalances.
- Psychological explanations often involve stress, cognitive distortions, or maladaptive coping mechanisms.
- Social explanations emphasize socio-economic factors, cultural norms, and environmental influences.
Research Study: Marmot et al. (1991)
Aim: To investigate the relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and coronary heart disease (CHD).
Method: Longitudinal cohort study.
Participants: 10,308 British civil servants.
Procedure:
- Participants were categorized into four employment grades, ranging from administrative to unskilled.
- Health outcomes and CHD rates were tracked over a 10-year period.
Results:
- CHD rates were inversely related to employment grade, with lower grades showing significantly higher CHD risks.
