A health psychologist runs an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group for patients with chronic pain. At week 8, participants report lower perceived pain interference and higher quality of life on validated scales, although objective measures of tissue inflammation are unchanged from baseline.
The MBSR program most directly illustrates which component of the biopsychosocial model of health?
- Acheck_circle
The psychological component, which can influence illness experience independently of biological pathology.
- B
The biological component, by reducing peripheral nerve sensitization.
- C
The social component, by altering family dynamics around illness.
- D
The genetic component, by changing pain-receptor expression.
Explanation
Improvements in pain interference and quality of life without changes in inflammation highlight the psychological component—appraisal, attention, and coping—within the biopsychosocial framework. Biological, social, and genetic factors are not the primary mechanism here.