Question

Most of us attribute diseases to biological rather than social factors. Explain how and why social and psychological factors can also affect our physical and mental well-being.

Answer 1

Social and Psychology factors are affecting physical and mental well being

Researchers have found significant co-relation between psychological factors and mental or physical illness. There are some factors that have influence on our physical and as well as mental health. These factors are

1) Social factors-

Socioeconomic condition- Socio-economical condition can affect our physical and mental well being. As we all know we need some economical support to live a normal and healthy life. Poor socio-economical condition can lead to mal nutrition and also can create mental stress and anxiety. Morbidity and physical and mental disabilities can also caused by poor socio-economical condition.( Brown and Harris,2012).

Social Environment- Social environment also can affect our physical and mental well being. As we know our social environment is where we are living. So our social environment needs to be clean and healthy. Otherwise a crowded or dirty environment can lead to physical illness like infection, Physical disabilities and also can lead to mental illness like depression, anxiety and culture shock.(Barton and Pretty, 2010)

2) Psychological factors

Stress- Stress is a long-term psychological problem that can affect our physical and mental well being. Stress can decrease our immunity power and also can create problem in our digestive system. Not According to the researches, stress hormone is responsible for the hyperactivity in Hypothalamic Pituitary adrenal. This kind of hyperactivity can affect the neurotransmitters like Serotonin or Dopamine.(Thoits, 2011).

Stress also affects our mental well being. Lack of concentration, feeling of discomfort for all the time, feeling of anxiety can caused by the psychological problem like stress.

Psychological Trauma- Psychological trauma also can affect our physical and mental well-being. A sudden mental shock or trauma can affect someone’s heart and nervous system. Not only that, Trauma can lead to mal-nutrition also. Traumatized people can loss interest in eating and in other regular activities also.

Psychological factor like trauma can affect our mental health. Extreme level of fear, negativity, lack of energy and motivation can develop for psychological trauma.(Heine, 2015)

Depression- Depression is another psychological factor that can affect our physical and mental health. According to the researches, Depression has a significant co-relation with the heart disease and heart attacks. Depression also can create complicating in recovering a heart disease. It can affect our Circulatory system.

Depression also affects our mental health. Feeling of extreme level sadness, negativity and low level of confidence can develop from the psychological disorder Depression.

References- Brown, G.W. and Harris, T., 2012. Social origins of depression: A study of psychiatric disorder in women. Routledge.

Thoits, P.A., 2011. Mechanisms linking social ties and support to physical and mental health. Journal of health and social behavior, 52(2), pp.145-161.

Barton, J. and Pretty, J., 2010. What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environmental science & technology, 44(10), pp.3947-3955.

Schaie, K.W. and Willis, S.L. eds., 2010. Handbook of the psychology of aging. Academic Press.

Heine, S.J., 2015. Cultural psychology: Third International Student Edition. WW Norton & company.