According to Nevid and Rathus (2005), the multifactorial model is “the belief that health and illness are a function of multiple factors involving biological, psychological, and cultural domains and their interactions” (p.126). The multifactorial model attempts to measure the likelihood of a person to contract or develop an illness such as the flu or cancer. The model outlines the likelihood of contracting a specific illness depends on the interactions between different factors. Environmental, sociocultural, biological, and even psychological factors can affect a person’s health.
Nevid and Rathus (2005) break the multifactorial method factors down into six main groups of factors that play a part in a person’s health and his or her susceptibility to different illnesses. The six main factors in the multifactorial model are; biological, sociocultural, environmental, personality, behavior, and stressors (p.126). Each of the six factors contains several influences that can affect or determine the likelihood for illness. A person has control over some of these factors and others are completely beyond control.
The physical, emotional, and cognitive effects of stress along with the psychological factors play various roles in a person’s health. In psychology the area that studies what the relationship is between certain factors and the prevention of certain illnesses or treatment of illnesses is known as health psychology. Understanding these factors and what measures a person can implement to guard against certain illnesses or injuries can help reduce a person’s chance in many cases.
The first factor is biological. Biological factors include pathogens, gender, genetics, and even age. Other biological influences include family history of illness, ethnicity, pain, and even exposure to different infectious organisms. Although biological factors play a role in an individual’s health, it does not mean a person will exhibit certain health problems. For example, just because there is a history of heart disease or cancer in the family does not mean an individual will for certain develop cancer or heart disease. Genes and family history are just predispositions, not certainties. If a strong history of heart disease is known taking certain precautions eating healthy and regular exercise can help decrease the chance of developing heart disease. A person’s lifestyle choices certainly contribute to the risk of developing certain illnesses and diseases. Poor diet, smoking, stress, obesity, and lack of exercise are factors that can increase a person’s chances of developing illnesses such as heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Sociocultural factors can include family circumstances such as social class, family size, and even family conflict. The amount of access to health care is also a sociocultural factor that can increase a person’s chances of developing certain illnesses. The sociocultural factors can include people who cannot afford healthcare. The single parent who cannot afford to feed his or her child healthy or nutritious food is also part of the sociocultural factors. Parents who are not well-educated have increased chances of sociocultural factors influences their health. Nevid and Rathus (2005) state, a person’s socioeconomic status and his or her health statuses connect. Nevid and Rathus (2005) further state people who do not have higher education levels are more likely to have jobs that pay less that can contribute to a lower socioeconomic status. Less educated people are more likely to smoke, less likely to exercise, and have a higher percentage of obesity. A person’s sociocultural influences can most certainly have a negative effect on his or her health.
Environmental factors such as water quality, pollutants, natural disasters, global warming, and even radiation exposure can play a vital role in a person’s health or development of certain diseases and illnesses. Understanding someone’s environmental influences can help diagnose, treat, and even prevent certain diseases and illnesses. Certain environmental factors can contribute to illnesses such as lead poisoning and radiation exposure.
Personality factors can also affect someone’s likelihood of certain illnesses or diseases. Psychological conflict, self-efficacy expectations, depression, anxiety, and even Type A personality are personality factors that can affect a person’s health. Depression, anxiety, and even Type A personality traits can cause many health-related problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, increased chances of heart disease, and even strokes. People with negative personality factors have an increase chance of certain illnesses and diseases. When people with negative personality factors adopt modification methods to help deal with stress and obtain proper medical and mental healthcare, they decrease their chances of certain medical problems.
Behavior factors can also contribute to a person’s medical illness or disease. Diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, sleep, activity level, and even safety practices can contribute to different illnesses and diseases. A person’s poor behavior choices can increase his or her health risks. Behavior is important to consider and evaluate when treating any physical or mental issues.
The final factor in the multicultural model is stressors. Stressors can include major changes in a person’s life such as divorce, death, or even losing a job. Sometimes stressors are found in the hassles of everyday life. Frustration and pain are also stressors. Stressors over time can have a negative impact on a person’s health. Stress can cause increase heart rate and blood pressure that can increase the chances of a heart attack.
The six factors in the multifactorial model are important to understand when treating, diagnosing, or preventing certain illnesses or diseases. Using the multifactorial model to explore two different health problems will help one understand the role psychology plays in both understanding and managing certain health problems.
One of the biggest and most common side effects from many of the multifactorial model factors are headaches. In fact headaches are the most common complaint that comes with stress. Nevid and Rathus (2005) state stress has a direct connection with muscle tension headaches and migraine headaches. Almost 20% of Americans are victims of server headaches. The most common type of headache is muscle-tension headaches. Muscle-tension headaches often begin with the contacting of the neck, shoulders, and head contracting. The constant contracting of muscles in individuals under the pressure of stress can lead to muscle-tension headaches. Constantly blowing events out of proportion can also cause tension headaches. Learning to manage stress can help reduce the amount of headaches one has. Migraine headaches are more debilitating affecting one in every 10 Americans. Migraines often come on suddenly and can last for hours or days. The multifactorial factors including environmental, behavioral, biological, and even psychological can contribute to migraine headaches. Using psychological techniques can help reduce the amount of headaches by reducing the amount of stress and changing the patterns of blood flow.
The leading cause of death in the United States according to Nevid and Rathus (2005) is coronary heart disease. A person’s choices and their behaviors greatly affect his or her risk of heart disease. Family history, obesity, high blood pressure, heavy drinking, smoking, Type A behavior, and even hostility and anger are contributing factors in developing coronary heart disease. Each area of the multifactorial model is essential for an individual to address if he or she wishes to decrease his or her chances of developing coronary heart disease. Making healthy lifestyle changes can reduce the risks of developing coronary heart disease. Some ways to reduce a person’s chances of coronary heart disease include healthy diet, stop smoking, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and even exercising. If someone already has coronary heart disease, ensuing proper medical care including medications and sometimes surgery can help. People that do not engage in activity that increases positive attitudes, reduce stressors, increases physical activity, or follows the recommendations of their physicians are likely to suffer heart attacks and other heart-related illnesses and injuries.
One cannot escape stress, it is everywhere. Stress is found in the hassles of everyday life, a person’s environment, behaviors, and even major unpredictable life changes. Sometimes factors beyond a person’s control are to blame for the stress. Learning to manage stress and make positive life changes can greatly decrease a person’s chances of serious medical and mental illnesses and diseases. The multifactorial model allows medical and mental health professionals to determine the likelihood of individuals to develop certain illnesses and diseases along with understanding what factors contribute to their already diagnosed illnesses.