Psychology and Health Problems
James Hasty
Axia College of University of Phoenix
PSY 210 Introduction to Psychology
Alshondrea Denton
March 22, 2009

There are many health problems that can be associated to an individual’s reaction to life changes and stressors that can be experienced every day or a little at a time. This paper will summarize the multifactorial model and describe how it relates to the diagnosis of illnesses and it will explain what role psychology has played in understanding and managing two health problems discussed in the text. My hope is that this paper will help reinforce the ways that we can overcome the stresses we experience every day and live a healthier lifestyle, so that we can give our children an example to follow in order to improve their quality of life.
According to our text, the multifactorial model is the belief that health and illnesses are a function of multiple factors involving biology, psychological, and cultural domains, and their interactions (Nevid & Rathus, 2005). The way that the multifactorial model works is by identifying factors that can affect our health and susceptibility to illness so that we can, in turn, control them and prevent them from affecting us further. The multifactorial model breaks the factors into six different categories; these categories are biological, sociocultural, environmental, personality, behavior, and stressors.
Biological factors are the most obvious causes of illness. Things such as a family history of illness, exposure to pathogens, gender, age, and the function of the immune system all play a part in a person’s health and well-being. A woman whose mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer has a greater chance of also being diagnosed as opposed to a woman who has no family history of the disease. A person who has been exposed to HIV is at a higher risk for developing AIDS than a person who has not. Gender plays a role in health also. For example, men are more likely to develop heart disease and other cardiac problems than women are. Certain maladies, such as strokes, are more likely to affect the elderly than younger people. Finally, the function of a person’s immune system also plays a part in their health. Those with weak or diminished immune systems, whether due to an illness such as AIDS, or a genetic defect, are at greater risk of contracting a variety of diseases than those with healthy immune systems.
Sociocultural factors, such as economic status, cultural and religious beliefs, health promotion in the community, and prejudices all play a part in a person’s health. A family’s economic status may prevent them from seeking out or even receiving adequate healthcare when they are unable to pay for it. Some cultures and religions hold beliefs that discourage people from seeking out medical treatment, including medication and surgery. Ignorance about health-related issues, such as oral and bodily hygiene, and diet deficiencies, may also expose people to illness. Public awareness, such as educational pamphlets and community outreach programs can help to reduce sickness. Sadly, prejudice also plays a part in illnesses. Prejudice against a person’s age, race, or social status may result in them receiving sub-par healthcare, or even being denied treatment by healthcare professionals.
The third category is environmental factors. This category includes such things as vehicular safety, water quality, natural disasters, pollution, and radiation exposure. Wearing a seatbelt while riding in a vehicle can reduce the severity of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Bacteria and other substances that may be found in drinking water can cause illness and other physical conditions, such as kidney stones. Natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods can inflict injury and even illness if water or sanitation systems are affected. Ground, air, and water pollution also have negative effects on the human body. People living in overpopulated areas may be more likely to suffer from respiratory problems due to smog and other air pollution. Finally, exposure to radiation, such as the nuclear radiation produced by the Chernobyl incident, causes numerous health concerns, including cancer and tumors.
An individual’s personality may have a direct effect on their health. Some individuals are more likely to seek out information and help than others. In doing so, they participate in preventative care and avoid undiagnosed, and therefore untreated, illnesses. A person’s outlook on life, whether they are pessimistic or optimistic, can affect not only their health, but also success of medical treatment. Depression and anxiety are highly detrimental to the physical body. Individuals suffering from these conditions often have a decreased immune system and may even lack the will to overcome illnesses. Unexpressed anger and frustration can create problems such as high blood pressure and even result in conditions like hypertension and heart problems.
Behaviors and habits can influence health. Smoking, drinking, using illegal substances, and overuse of prescription drugs have negative effects on the human body. Smoking may result in emphysema and cancer of the lungs, mouth, or throat. Similarly, alcohol contributes to liver diseases, brain damage, and high blood pressure, to name a few. Illegal drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs have a myriad of physical and mental effects, and overdoses most likely result in death. Diet and exercise play an important role in health. Those who are careful to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise are rewarded with a healthier and possibly even longer life than those who do not. They may also avoid diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart attacks.
The final category is Stressors. Stressors are things such as daily hassles, major life changes, and pressures from social life. Stressors generally affect health by creating stress, anxiety, and depression, which can weaken an individual’s immune system and leave them vulnerable to attack. Daily hassles are activities or responsibilities that occur on a regular basis. These may include such things as cooking, housework, childcare, financial responsibilities, job pressures, and even crime. Because these hassles take place on a daily basis they can continually effect a person’s well-being by creating stress and anxiety. Major life changes include such things as the death of a spouse, job loss, and relocation. These situations again create stress, anxiety, and even depression. An individual’s social life may also be a Stressor. Feelings of rejection and loneliness are a major cause of depression. Alternatively, a person whose social life creates too many demands on their time may begin to feel stress or even become anxious that they will not be able to fulfill all their responsibilities.
Psychology can help people understand and manage many common health problems by identifying behaviors and lifestyle choices that produce an effect on their health. One such case involves Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). CHD can be brought on by such factors as obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. While some of these factors may stem from a genetic tendency, they may also originate from the choices an individual has made, or their personality traits. Obesity and elevated cholesterol levels can be the result of a diet that is high in fat and cholesterol and a body that receives little to no exercise. High blood pressure can stem from psychological factors such as anger and hostility, which are characteristic of a person with a type A personality. Job strain can cause stress, which may also elevate blood pressure and put an individual at risk for CHD.
Another disease that can be linked to psychological factors is cancer. As with CHD, cancer is frequently attributed to a genetic disorder, but other factors can trigger the disease as well. Again, diet plays a role. Reducing the intake of fatty foods and increasing fruits, vegetables, and foods that are high in fiber may help to prevent the onset of cancer. There is thought to be a link between stress and cancer as well. Certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, are known causes of the disease. Psychological health plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
In conclusion, psychology plays an important role in identifying causes of common health concerns, as well as helping to treat them. The more an individual understands about the effects such factors as stress, anger, diet, and substance abuse have on their health, the more likely they will be to make choices that will result in a healthy future.

References
Nevid, J. S., & Rathus, S. A. (2005). Psychology and the challenges of life: Adjustment in the new millennium (9th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.