Sep 24 2008
The Multifactorial Model
When examining the multifactorial approach to health, it is apparent that one does not need to be a health professional to benefit from the information this model provides. The multifactorial model is based upon the premise that many variables must be considered before one can decide what may cause an illness. There are many variables, including our biological makeup and sociocultural factors, environmental factors and personality, stressors and our own behavior status. Our biological factors could include problems such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, a birth defect, our own medical histories including diseases which are possibly inherited, any vaccinations we have had to protect us from diseases, and our age. We may have any number of these problems already present, and when looking for the cause of an illness, gender must also be considered.
The sociocultural area discusses other elements such as the size of our families, our income, and possible limited access to adequate healthcare stemming from one or all of these issues. At times, a large family may be lacking where health care insurance is concerned, or it may be that a lower income means that a person is more likely to miss a doctor’s appointment due to having no transportation. Personality also plays a key role in our overall health. One who is pessimistic and who leads a sedentary life may be more likely to complain and not visit a doctor regardless of how bad they may feel. If a person is depressed, they likely have a low self esteem, and are possibly prone to fits of hostility, as would be the case with a Type A personality. A personality such as this can often be in denial at the thought of possibly being ill, and may refuse to see a doctor as a result. This leads to the environmental factors.
Our environments are not always conducive to good health. Living in a poorer end of town may mean being in close proximity to factories, and the associated odors and noise pollution. This in itself can be a major contributor of high stress levels and anxiety. Other aspects of their environmental element of the multifactorial model would be living in an overcrowded situation living in an older home which may contain asbestos or lead based paint, the type of vehicle one drives; an old unsafe vehicle in need of mechanical maintenance and tires which are safe to drive on. The climate where we live can also have detrimental effects on our health. If we live in areas prone to flooding, tornadoes and hurricanes, we are more likely to have higher stress levels and suppressed immune systems than those who live in areas free of such weather events.
Stressors and our associated behavior also play an integral role in determining how healthy we are, and why we may or may not become ill. A person who is frequently needing to relocate for the purpose of keeping a job, may be more prone to becoming ill due to the stress of constant upheaval and having to readapt to a new location and having to make new friends. Separating from a spouse and his or her children, being in constant pain, and even having a limited number of friends for support can all be contributors to a possibly unhealthy existence. Not getting enough rest, smoking and drinking alcohol to excess, will also cause us to become sick. These types of behaviors are often self destructive, and can lead to a depressed state, as can a lack of exercise and a poor diet. The information contained in the multifactorial model clearly shows that not one particular aspect of a person’s lifestyle, biological makeup, or surroundings is necessarily to blame for a becoming ill. Furthermore, Dr Robert N. Hoover (2000) of the National Cancer Institute. says that “There is this kind of fatalistic approach to genes that the general public seems to have now—that if your mom, dad, sister or brother had something then you’re doomed to have it too.” (p.126) While it is not impossible that because one family member was afflicted with a certain illness, it is certainly no guarantee that other members of that family will become sick with the same illness.
As can be seen by this multifactorial model, there are many psychological aspects which we as individuals have complete control. Unhealthy habits such as smoking, lack of physical exercise and whether or not we have a positive outlook, are all areas of our lives which can be adjusted for the better. Although we do not have the means to completely control other problems, such as becoming ill with cancer, there are certain habits we can adapt or discard which possibly inhibit the onset of such diseases.
Headaches
There are many kinds of headaches, just as there are many causes for each of them. Headaches are a common complaint of millions of people worldwide, and psychological factors as well as physical are known to play a significant role in becoming host to painful headaches on a regular basis. Anxiety can cause a tension headache; becoming anxious about a certain situation can result in muscles becoming tense around the shoulders, neck and upper back area. To relieve a tension headache, one should address the source of stress already present. As a result, relief is likely to follow shortly thereafter. Eliminating this stressor could also put an end to any recurring headaches if an effective means of resolving issues can be found and used again in similar situations. Our expectations and self-efficacy plays a major role in reducing the incidence of this type of headache. A person with a pessimistic attitude is more likely to have recurring headaches, than someone who is able to effectively deal with stress and who is able to identify the source of anxiety. There are also other possible annoyances which may provide evidence of the source of stress. For example: a noisy workplace environment may be the cause of the stress, and perhaps steps need to be taken to reduce this distraction. Earplugs could provide a simple solution. Although correlational, some interesting evidence concerning migraine headaches has shown that “women who experienced regular migraines, as opposed to those who did not, tended to be more self-critical, more likely to catastrophize stress and pain, and less likely to seek social support when under stress. Though this evidence is correlational, it suggests that we may unwittingly propel ourselves into a vicious cycle.” (Hassinger et al., 1999, p.132).
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is another serious problem which can be attributed to a combination of both psychological and physical variables. A family history of poor cardiac health is no guarantee of an unhealthy heart for generations to come. The environment, air pollution, an aggressive or Type A personality, and an unhealthy diet can all be major contributors. If one is prone to Type A behaviors, it may be of value to note that while inconclusive, studies have shown that by reducing typical Type A behaviors, one may be less inclined to suffer recurring heart attacks. (Friedman & Ulmer, 1984). The hormones adrenaline and noradrenalin which are released into the blood stream in an attempt to combat stress also play a role in heart health. An abundance of these hormones over a period of time can increase the likelihood of dangerous blood clots, and place unnecessary strain on the cardiovascular system. If repeated or prolonged stress is a problem, proactive steps must be taken to eliminate all stressors which can be consciously controlled. Reducing saturated fat from the diet, increasing physical exercise, and adopting a more tolerant and positive attitude are all beneficial help to maintaining good cardiac health. Some factors cannot be controlled, such as the climate. However, consideration could be given to relocating or changing employment if these are contributors to a hectic lifestyle.
References
Axia College of University of Phoenix. (2007). Psychological Factors and Health, Retrieved September 7, 2007, from Axia College, Week Three reading. aXcess, PSY 210—Introduction to Psychology: Why We Do What We Do. Web Site.
