3.13 Dealing with psycho-social issues

Psychology and Its Relevance to Vocational Rehabilitation

Psychology Overview

Psychology, the study of the behavior of living organisms, has four main goals:

1. Describe what occurred.

2. Explain why it occurred.

3. Predict what is likely to occur next.

4. Change or prevent unwanted outcomes.

Psychologists examine thinking, learning, cognition, emotions, motivations, and personalities. Clinical psychology focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders. Cognitive psychology uses scientific methods to study mental processes.

Relevance of Psychology in Vocational Rehabilitation

1. Connection Between Disabilities and Psychological Factors:
   Disabilities impact more than physical health—they affect psychological and social well-being. For example, even a minor injury can alter social interactions and mental state.

2. Biopsychosocial Model:
   Disabilities are multifaceted, encompassing biological, psychological, and social dimensions:

   • Biological Damage (Bio): Organic or physical damage (e.g., illness or injury).

   • Psychological Factors (Psycho): Coping mechanisms, mental health, and life satisfaction.

   • Social Factors (Social): Family, community, job satisfaction, and legal or environmental influences.

3. Disability and Performance Discrepancies:
   Some individuals with minor injuries may experience severe dysfunction, while others with severe injuries achieve autonomy and high quality of life. This disproves the idea of a linear relationship between physical injury and personal/social handicap.

Key Psycho-Social Factors Affecting Return to Work:

• Financial motivation.

• Family support.

• Attachment to the workforce.

The biopsychosocial model (Engel) accounts for the complexity of disability and return-to-work challenges by integrating these diverse factors.

Quiz: Psychology and Vocational Rehabilitation

1. What are the four main goals of psychology?

A. Explain, Prevent, Describe, Relate
B. Describe, Explain, Predict, Change/Prevent
C. Diagnose, Treat, Change, Observe
D. Analyze, Explain, Change, Predict

2. What is the biopsychosocial model?

A. A theory linking physical injury directly to disability.
B. A model focusing solely on the psychological effects of disability.
C. A comprehensive framework incorporating biological, psychological, and social aspects of disability.
D. A medical model used only for diagnosing mental illnesses.

3. How does the biopsychosocial model explain discrepancies in disability outcomes?

A. It claims that severe injuries always result in significant dysfunction.
B. It emphasizes a linear relationship between injury severity and personal/social handicap.
C. It acknowledges the influence of biological, psychological, and social factors on recovery and performance.
D. It suggests that disability is primarily driven by psychological factors.

4. Which of the following is a psychological factor in the biopsychosocial model?

A. Family support
B. Mental health
C. Job satisfaction
D. Legal involvement

5. Name one psycho-social factor that can influence return to work.

Answer Key

1. B - Describe, Explain, Predict, Change/Prevent.

2. C - A comprehensive framework incorporating biological, psychological, and social aspects of disability.

3. C - It acknowledges the influence of biological, psychological, and social factors on recovery and performance.

4. B - Mental health.

5. Examples: Financial motivation, family support, attachment to the workforce.