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.
- Stress and perceived control were identified as mediating factors.
Conclusion: Social determinants like job control and economic inequality significantly contribute to health disparities.
Implications and Criticisms
- Implications:
- Addressing social inequalities is essential for reducing health disparities.
- Workplace interventions promoting autonomy and stress management can improve health outcomes.
- Criticisms:
- Findings are not easily generalizable to non-Western contexts.
- The focus on civil servants may not represent other occupational groups.
Critical Thinking
1. Strengths: The study highlights the role of social hierarchies in health, emphasizing that economic and psychological factors are intertwined.
2. Limitations: Over-reliance on occupational grade as a proxy for SES might overlook other social determinants.
3. Future Directions: Expanding research to include diverse populations could improve understanding of how SES impacts health globally.
