ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the biopsychosocial approach and draw together the interrelationships between how people think and feel, their social environments and biological systems and mechanisms. Understanding that pain is a complex phenomenon that is affected by an interaction between physiological, psychological and social factors, health psychologists can work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to help people manage chronic pain. There are five key behavioural factors that health psychologists focus on and these are diet, exercise, alcohol use, smoking and drug use. The biopsychosocial approach are taken to consider the factors that might contribute to the onset of autoimmune conditions. In understanding the mechanisms and the psychosocial factors that contribute to autoimmune system disorders health psychologists will be able to consider potential interventions to improve quality of life. It considers a key model in health psychology, which is the bio-psychosocial approach.
