Psychology – A Level specialist option – Health Psychology | e-Consult

The biopsychosocial model proposes that health and illness result from the dynamic interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Psychological variables such as stress appraisal, coping style, and health beliefs can directly influence physiological processes and health outcomes.

• Stress appraisal: When an individual perceives a situation as threatening, the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑adrenal (HPA) axis is activated, releasing cortisol. Chronic high cortisol can suppress immune function, increasing susceptibility to infections.
• Coping style: Problem‑focused coping (e.g., seeking medical advice) is associated with better disease management, whereas avoidance coping can lead to delayed treatment and poorer prognosis, as seen in patients with hypertension.
• Health beliefs: According to the Health Belief Model, belief in personal susceptibility and the benefits of action promotes preventive behaviours (e.g., vaccination), whereas perceived barriers can deter them, influencing disease incidence.

These examples demonstrate that psychological processes are not merely peripheral but integral to the development, progression, and management of physical health conditions.