Question 1
Evaluate the biopsychosocial model of health and well-being.
Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "evaluate" requires candidates to make an appraisal by weighing up strengths and limitations of the biopsychosocial model of health and well-being. Although a discussion of both strengths and limitations is required, it does not have to be evenly balanced to gain high marks.
Relevant research may include, but is not limited to:
- Engel's (1977) biopsychosocial model of health
- Buckner et al.'s (2013) study in the use of the biopsychosocial model to treat addiction
- Wallace's (1990) biopsychosocial disease model of alcoholism
- Nguyen et al.'s (2016) review of biopsychosocial treatment for obesity
- Jack's (2013) study on biopsychosocial factors affecting female metabolism in type 1 diabetes
- Cohen et al.'s (2003) study on the treatment of nicotine dependence
- Steptoe and Marmot's (2003) study on stress
- Farooqi and O'Rahilly's (2006) study on gene-environment interaction in obesity.
Evaluation may include, but is not limited to:
- advantages and disadvantages of the model
- the importance of considering a holistic approach to health
- methodological and ethical considerations
- cultural and/or gender considerations
- supporting and/or contradictory empirical evidence
- alternative explanations
- accuracy and clarity of the concepts
- practical applications of the research findings
- real world implications.
If the candidate addresses only strengths or only limitations, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [3] for criterion D: critical thinking. All remaining criteria should be awarded marks according to the best fit approach.