Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

According to George Engel's model, what encompasses both psychosocial and biological dimensions in understanding illness?

1. Biomedical Model

2. Holistic Approach

3. Biopsychosocial Process

4. Psychosocial Approach

The correct answer is: Biopsychosocial Process

The correct response, which identifies the concept that encompasses both psychosocial and biological dimensions in understanding illness, is the Biopsychosocial Process. This model, introduced by George Engel, integrates biological, psychological, and social factors, recognizing that an individual's health cannot be fully understood without considering these three interconnected domains. The Biopsychosocial Process emphasizes that physical health issues can be influenced by mental states and social contexts. For instance, how a person experiences and manages pain can be affected by their emotional well-being and social environment. This holistic perspective is crucial in therapy and healthcare settings because it allows for a more comprehensive approach to treatment, acknowledging that effective care must address not just the physical symptoms, but also the psychological and social aspects of a patient's experience. Other approaches, such as the Biomedical Model, mainly focus on biological factors and do not take into account the psychological and social contexts, which limits the understanding of illness. The Holistic Approach can sometimes suggest a broader viewpoint that includes spirituality or other dimensions, but it is less specific about the integration of biological, psychological, and social aspects. Meanwhile, the Psychosocial Approach emphasizes social and psychological factors but does not fully address biological influences in the same way the Biopsychosocial Process does