The Psychosocial Factors Which Make Up a Life Stage - Coursework Example

Life Approach Life Approach Introduction The life approach, also referred to as the life perspective, is a way in which the relationship between time and events human behavior can be analyzed and understood. Throughout an individual’s life, there are numerous events that occur. The life course approach looks at how daily life transitions, relationships, chronological age and social change shapes the lives of individuals throughout their birth to their demise. In order to understand an individual, it is reasonable and sensible to look at the manner of their development throughout the various periods in their life or their event history. Factors like culture and social institutions that help to mold the pattern of people’s lives. This essay seeks to evaluate the psychosocial factors which makeup the childbirth stage of human lives. The essay will also discuss how biopsychosocial factors apply in the understanding of health and disease. Furthermore, an examination of the use of psychological and sociological approaches to health and illness throughout an individuals life will be conducted (Hutchison 2011, 8-9). Psychosocial Factors that Influence Childbirth Childbirth is a critical event in human lives. It is the culmination of the pregnancy process that ends with the emergence of a newborn child from the mother’s uterus. Childbirth enables the continuity and sustainability of the human race. The process is usually considered to be painful though some women have reported painless labour processes. This stage of human existence is a sensitive period due to the vulnerability of both the mother and the infant and as such, significant care is exercised throughout pregnancy and the delivery stages. Social and psychological factors play a huge aspect in shaping this stage of life. Due to the vulnerability aspect, these factors must be understood and manipulated to ensure the safety and general wellbeing of both mother and child. During childbirth, the most important psychological aspect is the support. Supportive care to women during child delivery man comprise of comfort measures, provision of information, emotional support and advocacy (Hunter & Deery 2009, 56-89). Support during labor enhances the physiologic delivery process and women’s feeling of competence and control. As such, the likelihood of the need for obstetric intervention is reduced or altogether eliminated. Studies indicate that labouring women who get adequate support are likely to deliver spontaneously without artificial induction measures (Hodnett et al. 2011, 2). Support reduces the likelihood of loneliness, stress and overthinking. All these are psychological states that can induce a hostile delivery environment and could have detrimental effects. Support also bears a feeling of love and concern that contribute positively towards the comfort of the mother during delivery. There should be continuously sufficient physical and emotional support to the mother during this period. Often, it is the responsibility of the companion or family members to provide labour support during childbirth, though medical personnel or midwives can bear a significant part in this process. Personnel in the medical field are given adequate training on the different techniques and benefits of adequate labour support. However, the ability of medical practitioners to provide this support has often been questioned. For example, midwives and nurses are often split over their responsibilities where they have to care for multiple labouring women (Kent 2000, 16-25). In addition, they have other duties such as managing equipment and record keeping. This significantly inhibits their ability to provide the necessary labour support that is required by women during childbirth. Companions and family members usually possess little experience when it comes to the provision of labour support. In other times, it is they who are themselves in need of support during childbirth (Hodnett et al. 2011, 4). Social factors also contribute significantly towards childbirth. In traditional societies, childbirth was considered to be a vital role among women as some communities associated childbirth with blessing or wealth. During those periods, women faced external pressure from families to have children so as to ensure the continuity of the family. Some of these traditions apply in modern day situations. The norm, in people’s event history, is that, at some point in life, it is necessary for individuals to bear children. Therefore, social units such as a society and family, have a huge bearing on the social aspect of childbirth (Green 2010, 40-60). The manner in which child birth is conducted is also based on certain social aspects. The social status and economic ability of a family determine the manner in which child birth is conducted. Wealthier families can provide the best healthcare services and as such, they are able to ensure that newborns get the necessary care that will ensure their chances of survival are significantly increased (Kent 2000, 16-25). On the other hand, poor families that cannot afford proper healthcare services may fail to get the necessary services during childbirth that will ensure that both the mother and child emerge safe and healthy. This is especially so where complications may be detected during child birth (Kehily 2004, 17). The age factor also plays a huge role in determining child birth. On average, women undergo menopause between their mid-forties and early fifties. As such, many women tend to bear babies well before they attain this age. In addition, sociologists have shown that there are many benefits to having children at an early age. For example, many couples prefer to bear children well before their retirement ages when they are still financially capable and secure of taking their children through school. However, there are also advantages of having children at later stages of lie. For instance, studies have shown that children born to relatively older parents tend to perform better in school than those of younger parents (Charlesworth 2010, 84-85). How Bio Psychosocial Factors are integrated into our Understanding of Health and Illness throughout the Life Course Some characteristic illnesses manifest themselves more profoundly during the different stages of life. The various social, behavioral, biological and psychological factors that shape life patterns also form the occurrence of certain diseases and the state of health of individuals in their lifetime. During the initial stages of an individual’s life, biological factors play the greatest role in determining the health conditions in individuals. Most people are vulnerable to illnesses during their infantile stages because it is then that their immune systems re being developed. Newborns are given inoculations to help their bodies develop the necessary immune systems. These immune systems help the body battle diseases such as measles, polio, mumps, tuberculosis and smallpox that are especially deadly to infants. Malnourished children are also susceptible to diseases such as kwashiorkor. Breast milk helps children develop the relevant defense mechanisms that are later crucial for growth. It is during the infantile and childhood stage that long-term diseases are contracted or noticed. Conditions such as asthma, diabetes and allergies manifest during this stage. During the teenage years, individuals are more susceptible to injuries rather than illnesses. At this stage of life, the relevant immune systems have already been developed. Social and behavioral factors play a more significant role at this age. Teenagers engage more in physical exercises and social interactions. The diseases that are usually contracted during this stage of life result from physical activities undertaken during these two aspects of human lives. Injuries sustained through physical exercises may lead to infections where no adequate treatment is sought. It is also in their teens that individuals begin to interact socially with members of the opposite sex. The onset of puberty also comes with the development of sexual urges. From this stage of their lives, individuals become susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases. The diseases and illnesses contracted by young adults or youths are also hugely due to social and behavioral factors. It is during this period that individuals are in their sexual prime. As such, sexually transmitted diseases are also prevalent in this group. Addiction diseases are also common in this age group (White 2002, 16-47). Alcohol and drug addiction is highest during the youthful stage of life. As such, diseases that arise from substance abuse and addiction usually begin at the youthful stage (Shiner & Newburn 2001, 5). This maybe because it is at this stage that individuals are most exposed to drugs and alcohol (Hunt 200, 105). Youthful and teenage years are characterized by unhealthy diets consisting more of fast foods than healthy meals. Young people need more carbohydrates due to the large amounts of energy they dispense in their daily activities. Therefore, diseases arising from poor dieting may also occur during these stages. Despite more occurrences of mental illnesses in early stages of life nowadays, it is in adulthood that the onset of mental illnesses becomes common. This may arise from the culmination of pressure due to everyday living that may lead to stress, depression of other mental disorders. In addition, hereditary mental illnesses tend to manifest during adult years (Pilgrim & Rogers 2010, 112-128). Diseases such as Alzheimer and clinical depression, though they may be seen in previous stages, begin to take effect in adults (Hunt 200, 123). At this stage of life, social and behavioral factors play a less profound role in the occurrence of diseases. In adulthood, the body starts to display signs of weakness. Their joints become more rigid while at the same time, illnesses and wounds take longer to heal. Therefore, biological factors also play a more significant role in disease prevalence during this stage. It is during old age that the susceptibility of earlier years returns. At this stage, the body begins to fail gradually. As such, the dietary and social needs of old people are much more significant than in other stages of life (Hunt 200, 160). The weakening of the body’s immune system means that the old need constant medication to supplement their body’s defense needs. They also require regular care to ensure that their needs are met. Psychosocial Theoretical Perspectives of Health, Illness and Social Power A strong inverse correlation exists between social status and health outcomes. Studies conducted have indicated that adverse health outcomes occur more in socially disadvantaged groups. Such health gaps due to social status have been found throughout the world. The social causation perspective states that health is determined by social status through intermediary factors. This effect of social status on health is probably indirect, through several more defined health determinants that vary with social groups (Nettleton 2006, 173-184). Socio-economic health gaps, therefore, occur where the quality of such intermediary factors are unbalanced within the different social classes. Socio-economic status influences the behavior and lifestyle of individuals (Chancer & Watkins 2006, 80-85). These determinants determine the level of prevalence observed in individuals from different social groups. The major factors that bear a significant role in explaining this gap are material, behavioral and psychosocial factors (WHO 2010, 17). Material factors bear connection to conditions of financial hardship and unhealthy conditions in the physical surrounding. For researchers that give significant emphasis to this aspect, the inequality in health arises due to the differential cumulative exposure and experiences by people in the different social groups. It can be said that the material factor intertwines with the socio-economic ability such that those with more resources are better placed to avoid risk and undertake the necessary preventive measures that are available. These resources can either be knowledge, money, power or prestige (WHO 2010, 17). The relevant psychosocial factors that influence the health inequality that exists due to social status include stressful living conditions, stressors, lack of social life among others. Researchers emphasizing this view argue that known behavioral and material risk factors of illnesses cannot adequately describe the socioeconomic gap in mortality and morbidity. For example, risk factors such as cigarette smoking, blood pressure and high cholesterol intake can explain very little about the socioeconomic mortality gradient in cardiovascular disease outcomes (WHO 2010, 17). Behavioral factors like alcohol consumption, dietary plans, physical exercise or smoking play a vital role in determining one’s health. This is especially so because they can be seen across all the social groups. Yet, this observation is controversial considering the available evidence. For instance, smoking is more common in lower socioeconomic groups. In Southern Europe, however, higher income groups show more tendencies to smoke, particularly in women. The occurrence of obesity has been observed to be more in lower socioeconomic groups of more developed countries. The health system also constitutes an intermediary part, though scholars have failed to discuss it adequately in literature (WHO 2010, 17). The Application of Psychological and Sociological Research Theories and Approaches to Health and Illness There are many ways in which Psychological and Sociological Research Theories and Approaches have contributed towards the improvement in social care and health. Firstly, they allow us understand and appreciate the varying needs of individuals such that their needs can be individualized to ensure that the treatment provided for various health conditions are appropriate and optimal. Secondly, these methods enable medical practitioners obtain a better understanding of the different communication processes so that they are able to pinpoint ways in which they can enhance their therapeutic relationship with patients and provide more effective advice in their professional capacity. The methods also work to identify to highlight channels through which individuals can cope with various conditions such as pain, loss, chronic illnesses and the pressures of every-day living. Furthermore, these theories detail the factors that play a vital role in influencing the choices and lifestyles of individuals. As such, health-related illnesses can be controlled more easily. Through these theories, medical practitioners can apply evidence-based intervention measure to improve the health and well-being of individuals regardless of their gender, social status, age or race (Nettleton 2006, 173-184). Conclusion The life course of an individual is determined by external factors such as socioeconomic status, environment and biological features from the moment they are born right up to their death. These factors also intertwine with the health of an individual and, therefore, it is necessary to study and understand them. Many ideologies have been proposed to try and understand this correlation so as to try and determine the best set of conditions that can allow individuals thrive health-wise and in general terms. The life course approach is one such perspective that vividly recognizes the importance of time in comprehending the unexpected links between outcomes and exposure within the event history of an individual transcending through generations and social boundaries. Reference Chancer, L. S., & Watkins, B. (2006) Gender, Race and Class: An Overview. Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 80-85 Charlesworth Rosalind (2010) Understanding Child Development, Cengage Learning Inc. 8th Ed., Belmont, USA. pp 84-85 Green, L. (2010) Understanding the life course: sociological and psychological perspectives. Polity Press, Cambridge, UK/ pp. 40-61 Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Weston J (2011) Continuous support for women during childbirth (Review), The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd., Issue 2, pp. 2-4 Hunter, B. & Deery, R (2009) Emotions in midwifery and reproduction. Palgrave Macmillan Limited. Pp. 56-89 Hutchison D. 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Joseph Rowntree Foundation. p. 5 White, K (2002) An introduction to the sociology of health and illness, SAGE Publications Ltd, 2nd Ed., London, UK. pp 16-47 World Health Organization (WHO) (2010) A Conceptual Framework for Action on the Social Determinants of Health: Social Determinants of Health Discussion Paper 2, WHO Press, Geneva, Switzerland, p. 17 Read More