1. Running head: BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL FOR THE MIND 1
Biopsychosocial Model for the mind paper
Kendrick Kim
Grand Canyon University

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Biopsychosocial model for the mind
This paper will discuss the issue of schizophrenia using a biopsychosocial model. The
paper will address three key issues which are, evidence supporting brain localization for
schizophrenia, the genetic factors in the onset of this disorder, and the environmental factors in
the onset of this disorder. Background and information on what schizophrenia is, signs and
symptoms, treatment, who is at risk, and the causes of schizophrenia will also be addressed in
this paper. In addition investigation into the Biosocial model and the functional outcome in
schizophrenia will be discussed.
Brekke, et. Al (2001) investigates if increased psychosocial interventions will give better
quality of life to individual with schizophrenia and if there is an increase in subjective
experiences such as high self-esteem and satisfaction is measure with the increased psychosocial
interventions. However, the authors believes that from previous studies and their review of the
literature , it was found that there was no correlation or direct relationship between psychosocial
functioning and subject experiences in the individuals with schizophrenia.
Brekke, et. Al (2001) had a sample size of 40 individuals who were diagnosed as
someone with schizophrenia and examined their neurocognitive measurements as a factor in
relationship to their psychosocial functioning and their subjective experience. Measure of
subjective experience was in terms of happiness and satisfaction of life. In their study the authors
found that executive functioning had a major role in the relationship between subjective
experience and psychosocial functioning in living with schizophrenia (Brekke, et. Al, 2001).
Brekke, et. Al. (2005) believes that the biosocial model is critical in the study of
schizophrenia, however there is little evidence of empirical testing on the biosocial model. The
purpose of his study was to provide the first test into the biosocial model in relationship to the

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functional outcome in the mental illness of schizophrenia. The variables that were used in his
study to measure the outcome was neuro-cognition, social cognition, social competence, and
social support as indicators of functional outcome of individuals with schizophrenia (Brekke, et.
Al., 2005). Brekke, et. Al (2005) using a path analysis model found that his biosocial model has
strong correlation with data and the support for his model was strong.
Introduction (What is Schizophrenia?)
Schizophrenia is a disease that has a range from chronic to sever and is a disabling brain disorder
that affects the functions of one’s self in society that can hinder them from contributing and functioning in
society. Some individuals with this disorder have experiences of hearing voices that only they claim they
are hearing when no one else other than them is hearing. These individuals may also believe that other
people are out to get them or are invading their mind with some technological device, or mind probing
device. They also may believe that the device they other party is using is controlling their thoughts, or
plotting to harm them in some way. Individuals with this illness are terrified and withdrawn. In addition
to the fear and withdrawn symptoms, so exhibit agitation as well (Nordqvist, C. (2014, November 28).
Individuals with schizophrenia may not be coherent and their speech may not make any sense to
others but themselves. Other individuals may sit for hours without speech or interaction with others, or
perhaps may look very normal, however when they start to speak it may become apparent that something
is not right or all there. Society and families with individuals who have schizophrenia are affected by this
mental illness and have economic impact to individuals and families. Individuals with schizophrenia may
not be able hold a job because these individuals may not be able to stay on task. Therefore at times
families must care for the individual that has schizophrenia and this can be an emotional and monetary
drain on resources and relationships among the family dynamic (Nordqvist, C. (2014, November 28).
There are treatment options out there to help with the symptoms of schizophrenia, however most
people with the disorder just cope with the mental illness throughout their lives. It is struggle not just for
the individual, but for their families, and society as a whole. There is positive news about this disorder.

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Individuals with schizophrenia are able to lead productive and meaningful lives with treatment. There are
constant research breakthroughs and medication to manage individuals with schizophrenia (Nordqvist,
C. (2014, November 28).
Causes of Schizophrenia
There is no one direct answer to the cause or why an individual has developed
schizophrenia, rather are several factors that many experts in the realm of schizophrenia will say
that the cause of schizophrenia will be. Some experts have suggested that schizophrenia is
caused hereditary because of the gene and some experts’ say it is the environment that the
individual is in that would lead to the development of the mental illness (Nordqvist, C. (2014,
November 28).
Researchers have long discovered that schizophrenia can run in the family history. It
occurs in 1% of the population; however the percentage increases to 10% if they have a first
degree relative (mom, dad, sister) who has schizophrenia. There is also risk with second degree
relatives (aunts or cousins) who also suffer from the disease. If there are twins involved in the
family dynamic then there is a greater risk of schizophrenia developing as mental disorder.
Several environmental factors such as exposure to a bacteria, virus, malnutrition, problems with
birth and child labor, and other unknown psychosocial variables that may have an impact and
risk of an individual developing schizophrenia (Nordqvist, C. (2014, November 28).
Who is at Risk, Signs & Symptoms, & Treatment
Nordqvist, C. (2014, November 28), states approximately 1% the population have the
illness and the illness does not discriminate gender or race and affects males, females, and across
diverse ethnic groups. Symptoms of hallucination and delusions may start as early as 16 years
old, and men seem to experience the symptoms earlier as opposed to women (Nordqvist, C.
(2014, November 28). The psychotic symptoms would be a clear unhealthy behavior that is not

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seen in healthy people and these symptoms often leave individuals with no sense of reality and
the symptoms can come and go. Other symptoms are hallucinations where an individual may see
something that is not there, delusions where the individuals have a firm belief that someone is
trying to get them or hurt them when that is not the case or there is thought disorder where
individuals can not think clearly and they are disorganized in their thoughts (Nordqvist, C.
(2014, November 28).
The good news is that there are treatments out there. Individuals could go to hospitals and
mental clinics to address the issues and symptoms associated with schizophrenia. These
treatment institutions will most likely focus on elimination of the symptoms of the disease,
however will not cure the disease. There are medications such as antipsychotic medications;
however there are side effects like drowsiness or dizziness (Nordqvist, C. (2014, November 28).
There are many organizations as well that will help in the psychosocial aspect of the disease such
as management of schizophrenia, family education, and self help group therapy (Nordqvist, C.
(2014, November 28).
Schizophrenia and depression co-morbidity: what we have learned from animal models
An interesting study by Samsom, J.N., & Wong, A.C. (2015), where they studied the
overlap of schizophrenia and depression symptoms in rodents. Based on their study and their
literature, it was found that schizophrenic patients were also at high risk of depression as well.
They used animal models like rodents for understanding the gene function in depression and
schizophrenia. What they found was there were common mechanisms that schizophrenia and
depression revealed in common patho-physiology of both diseases. They found in their study that
neurotransmitters, immunology, and environmental factor in the test subjects (rodents) found
common mechanisms in patho-physiology of schizophrenia and depression.

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Evidence supporting brain localization for schizophrenia
Núñez, D, et. Al (2014) discusses early visual impairments which were caused by
impaired interactions between magno-cellular and parvo-cellular pathways and disruption in self
awareness or self disorders which are symptoms or features of schizophrenia. The authors
suggest that this was not studied yet and they hypothesized that the magno-cellular that becomes
impaired is associated with the visual aspects of schizophrenia (Nunez, et. Al, 2014).
Nunez, et. Al (2014) purpose of their study was to investigate early visual processing in
relation to the first onset of schizophrenia. Their study to a physiological aspect in determining
the effects of schizophrenia in individuals in their effects of visual impairment and affects of the
brain. What was discovered in their preliminary findings were brain localization and magno-
celluar and parvo-celluar pathways were effected in the individuals with schizophrenia (Nunez,
et. Al, 2014). The authors admit that more studies and investigation should be done based on
their preliminary findings.
Genetic factors in the onset of this disorder
Haraldsson, H.M., et. AL (2011) study contributed to the literature and other studies in
relationship to genetic factors and risk to the individual of being with the mental disease of
schizophrenia. The purpose of the study was to analyze new developments in research of
genetics and the relationship genetics has with the mental illness of schizophrenia. They
reviewed the literature related to genetics and schizophrenia with an emphasis on new
developments in the genome-wide association (GWAS) studies and the role of endophenotypes
in research of genetics. Their results were that they found further studies and discovery of
investigation into multiple genes and these multiple genes may act as a functional pathway that
forms the basis of genetic association of schizophrenia.

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In addition the authors also found that the associations of copy number variations (CNVs)
and inherited CNVs contribute to different several neuropsychiatric disorders which includes the
mental disease of schizophrenia (Haraldsson, H.M., Ettinger, U., & Sigurdsson, E. (2011).The
authors concluded that rare CNVs may be associated and have higher risk in development of the
mental illness of schizophrenia (Haraldsson, H.M., Ettinger, U., & Sigurdsson, E. (2011). With
advent of new technologies, future studies for identifying common and rare risk factors will
likely further understanding of schizophrenia and its’ genetic association with the mental illness
(Haraldsson, H.M., Ettinger, U., & Sigurdsson, E. (2011).
Environmental factors in the onset of this order
Scherr , et. Al (2012) in their study discusses and addresses the background
schizophrenia as a mental disorder and the population effected by the mental disorder. As
previously discussed in this paper, Nordqvist, C. (2014, November 28) and Scherr, et. Al (2012)
both cite that 1% of the overall population in the United States have the disorder and the
discussion in their study of symptoms were also address such as hallucinations, delusions, and
disorganized thought. Their focus and issue is the age of the onset of schizophrenia and discusses
the environmental factors associated with schizophrenia. Scherr, et. Al (2012) found that there is
increasing evidence of varied age distribution which means that schizophrenia can occur in early
child hood to decades after their life in their 20s and beyond. Their literature suggests that the
onset occurs based on factors like malnutrition changes in brain patter and the disease process
itself.
Scherr, et. Al (2012) found that there is significant evidence to support that birth
complications can have a significant risk factor in developing schizophrenia as a mental illness.
There are still further investigations to be made because there are still number of variables that

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still have not been identified in childhood and adolescent onset of schizophrenia. Early
environmental hazards are associated with environmental risk of developing schizophrenia,
however further investigation is needed for the environmental risk that were not identified.
Dragt, et. Al (2011) had similar reference in understanding that the onset of
schizophrenia can be a multitude of factors that is associated with genetics, however also with
social risk factors. The author’s purpose of the study was to find which environmental factors
contributed to the onset of the mental illness of schizophrenia such as the first psychotic break or
high risk factor of onset of schizophrenia.
Dragt, et.Al (2011) discovered with poor environmental and health conditions had
significant influence on the onset of schizophrenia. Social adjustment in environment was a
factor in determining onset of schizophrenia. The authors concluded that the social adjustment
scale used in their study could help address the risk factor of the onset of this mental disorder.
Brown (2011) reviewed and synthesized the literature in relation to environmental factors
as a role in the development of schizophrenia. Based on the literature review, the author suggests
that the environmental role in schizophrenia may have a bigger role in the disorder than
previously thought. Brown (2011) discusses the background and symptoms of schizophrenia,
nutritional factors, and social factors such as negative live or negative life changing events in
relation to affecting individuals in the onset of schizophrenia. All three studies Brown (2011),
Dragt, et. Al (2011), Scherr, et. Al (2012) indicates that life events are one big variable that can
affect the onset of schizophrenia and the onset of psychosis.

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Literature Abstract (Scherr, M., Hamann, M., M., Schwerthoffer, D., Frobose, T.,
Vukovich, R., Pitschel-Walz, G., & Bauml, J. (2012)
The purpose of Scherr, et. Al (2012) study was to investigate how certain risk factors in
childhood and adolescents would predict the onset of schizophrenia as a mental illness. They
compared this investigate between familial (relative who have schizophrenia) and non-familial
individuals (no family history of schizophrenia)for the purpose of this study and research
question. The methodology used in this study had a sample size of 100 patients which consisted
of 45 females and 55 males who were diagnosed as schizophrenic. From the sample size they
took profile by gender, date of birth, race , and used a survey instrument which was a self
reported questionnaire. They asked for following risk factors such as if there were any
complications during birth or after birth, if they were born in spring/winter or having pregnancy
during spring or winter, if there was any speech impairment or delay speech, any changes in life
patterns that negatively affected them, or any exposure to harmful substances, bacteria, or
viruses.
Scherr, et. Al (2012) found that 69 patients had some sort of birth complications and
three were born by Cesarean, there was also indication from the population that 18 had a
premature birth. Based on their findings, Scherr, et. Al (2012) found that from their sample in
their study, birth complications and the use of weed or abusing weed was one of the factors of
earlier onset of schizophrenia with patients who has no family history of schizophrenia. In
contrast, there were no environmental risk factors for earlier onset of schizophrenia with patients
who had a family history of schizophrenia.
Scherr, et. Al (2012) concluded that there seems to be no early onset risk of
schizophrenia in patients that had a family history of schizophrenia in comparison to patients

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who had not family history of schizophrenia. Author’s have admitted limitations and
generalizations in their study due to their sample size being rather small (100 patients) and the
use of previous data in relation to onset of schizophrenia was used, therefore the hypothesis
supported was based on earlier data set.
Conclusion
Schizophrenia is a very important issue that not only effects the individual with the
symptoms and mental illness, but effects the families of individuals with schizophrenia and
society as a whole. If one does not have a social view or concern of mental illness and
schizophrenia, then they should consider the economic impact mental illness and schizophrenia
has on society as a whole.
One such anecdotal example is from an officer that we call officer B states, “The Los
Angeles Police department has been having increasing issues dealing with the mentally ill,
especially schizophrenic individuals. There has been unnecessary death of citizens of mental
illness, and we are not equipped to handle or have the best training for this. This affects the city
of Los Angeles, because we are sued and it affects cops who lose their jobs and pension. I am on
suspension without pay, I am working security to try to pay mortgage.”
Further research and preventive community resource and measure should be investigated
and a holistic approach using a biosocial, psychobiosocial, social, psychiatric, psychological, and
counseling and medicine to address schizophrenia and impact on the lives of individuals with
schizophrenia, their families affected by the diagnosis of schizophrenia, and societal solutions to
address the economic impact and societal impact of schizophrenia.

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References
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