Bio-Psycho Social Model - Essay Sample

Introduction

Bio-psycho-social model is a comprehensive technique for understanding human health, development, and functioning (Eid, 2014). It explains that human beings are bio-psycho-social creatures. Therefore, their social, biological and psychological dimensions are interlinked together. This model enables us to understand that signs and symptoms do not necessarily occur due to a disease, sometimes it may be developed by other influences. On the other hand, it is a common fact that social workers play a crucial role in our society. This is because their job demands them to act as an interface between human beings and their cultural, social, natural and physical environments. In this article, I will describe myself in terms of the bio-psycho-social domains that characterize me as a social worker.

Bio-psycho-social domains

Bio-psycho-social approach explains that diseases are the outcomes of an interaction between biological, social and psychological factors. These three components are the core domains for this model. As a social worker, I usually conduct extensive research and make tons of theories to ensure holistic evaluation of the patients situation. We often deal with families and people experiencing complex psychosocial, social, institutional and family dynamics. In Bio-psycho-social model, social factors are perceived as stressful situations that can differentially affect the well-being of an individual. Biological factors include peoples genetic makeup together with other conditions such as physical trauma and infections. Psychological factors determine a potential psychological link to a certain health problem. I understand that there a lot of factors that should be considered before providing any form of health care. That is why I regularly conduct a self -awareness check at the start of any medical procedure. This self-awareness check acts as a therapeutic tool and enables me to establish psychological and biological conditions that my client is likely encountering. Moreover, backtracking my patients life experiences and attempting to understand his social life is also an essential part of providing medical treatment. This is because it allows me to evaluate multiple social factors that can affect his health such as culture, interactions with others, or even economic status.

How do bio-psycho-social domains characterize me?

I regularly use the bio-psycho-social model as a guide to figure out what is wrong with a patient. However, I have never thought of how one of this models domains characterizes me. One of the requirements of my job is to address psychosocial issues such as family and domestic violence, child abuse, and neglect and also deal with patients suffering from chronic sorrow from the loss of someone. Some of these issues are not easy to handle, in fact at the end of the day I end up being affected by them. Although, social workers are supposed to minimize psychosocial effects of illness which in turn helps to improve health outcomes. I believe some factors indirectly affect them in the process. The psychological aspect of the bio-psycho-social approach explains that people with genetic vulnerability have high chances of displaying negative thinking which is likely to result in depression. I believe this is the aspect of the bio-psycho-social model that describes me the best. This is because there are some periods when the pressures of handling these psychosocial issues overwhelm me and I get depressed especially in situations where I was not able to handle the situation effectively. It is interesting how the psychological factors of the Bio-psycho-social model characterize me as a genetically vulnerable person. To some point, I believe I am genetically vulnerable since I usually feel sadness whenever I am handling particular psychosocial issues such as child abuse and neglect. However, I believe this does not define my job performance.

There is a lot of correlation between the factors of this model. For example, studies show that quality of our social interactions greatly affects our physiological state such as the bodys immune and cardiovascular system. There also sufficient evidence that suggests that major depression causes physiological disturbances such as imbalance in neurotransmitters systems. This means that there is a close interaction between psychological and biological components. Cultural components are also included in the social domain. This means that differences in the expectations and circumstances of different cultural societies may lead to different symptom display of disorders. A good example is an anorexia which is little known in non-western societies since they put less stress on the thinness in ladies. Surprisingly, culture can even transform the biology of people. A study revealed that people who have been exposed to poverty and overcrowding are at risk for developing depression which comes with genetic mutations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we realize that bio-psycho-social model enables us to understand the impacts of interactions between different factors namely psychological, biological, and social factors. Moreover, this approach should be used to deal with the ever-changing dynamics of the clinical sciences.

Ethical Principles of the NASW Code of Ethics

Introduction

Ethics are crucial to any profession. However, I will argue that they are essential for professions offering human and health services. The NASW Code of Ethics is essential to all social workers, despite the population they serve, the settings in which they work or their professional functions (Sylva, 2013). The core values of the NASW Code of Ethics include social justice, competence, integrity, dignity, and worth of the person, service, and importance of human relationships. However, according to me, the most relevant core value is the integrity.

Integrity

Integrity is the act of being honest and having strong moral uprightness. It is the strict following of the moral code, and this is reflected in what a person does, says, and thinks. A person who has integrity will always remain true to himself and would do nothing that dishonors you. Moreover, people with integrity will often act sincerely, and most importantly they will always tell the truth. Integrity means acting ethically and responsibly at all times. It is generally upon oneself to maintain ethical standards or not. However, I will argue that integrity is just not about telling the truth. It is the concept of consistency of values, actions, principles, outcomes, and expectations. It is also imperative to know that it is hard to uphold a 100 percent integrity at all time, this is because there are situations which are sensitive and need to be handled with caution (Bohnet, 2012). For instance, when dealing with mentally ill patients, it is difficult to tell them the results of their diagnosis results.

Importance of integrity to social work profession

Integrity enables us to understand the difference between doing the good things and bad things. All social workers are required to maintain a high code of behavior and most significantly follow the ethical principles of integrity. In events where social workers are faced with various ethical situations, they are required to uphold the highest level of integrity to their principles, ethics, values, and profession. Integrity will help social workers learn about their clients differences and still interact ethically with them. Moreover, it will enable them to uphold a continual awareness of their companys mission. In fact, social workers with integrity inspire their co-workers to be honest. Integrity also helps social workers to protect the confidentiality of their clients since disclosure of clients information in this profession is a punishable offense. Practicing integrity also helps social workers to avoid criminal behaviors such as sexually harassing clients and participating in other evil behaviors.

Personal importance of Integrity

I believe people with integrity often deliver quality work that is why my objective is to stick with integrity in my profession and most significantly live an honest life. I am willing to adhere to the values that are significant to me and my profession. I notice that practicing honesty will help me improve nearly every sector of my life. In fact, due to integrity, I have attracted the best situations and people into my life.

I have learned about the genetic vulnerability aspect from the Bio-psycho-social model. It is important that I stay true to myself and attempt to establish effective methodologies of solving different situations. I should not let this condition lead me to engage in the incompetent practice. Integrity will keep me on the toss, and I know the continued practice of this precious value will help me achieve great success and happiness in life.

References

Bohnet, G. H. (2012). Workplace Integrity. Integrity in Organizations. doi:10.1057/9781137280350.0033

Eid, M. (2014). The Bio-Psycho-Social Model: How accurate and valid is it? Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy, 02(02). doi:10.4172/2161-0487.1000e103

Sylva, L. O. (2013). NASW Code of Ethics. Social Work. doi:10.1093/sw/30.5.451