Washburn
Phase 2

Biopsychosocial Perspectives

Components of the Ecological Perspective

Select each of the lenses below to learn more about them, and then answer the following questions that apply to the Carla Washburn.

Biological Lens

The biological dimension refers to the role of biological systems—be they within our bodies (e.g. genetic predispositions), or outside (e.g. airborne pathogens that impact our functioning), upon our health and well-being.

  1. What does the literature say about the correlation between race and onset of diabetes, particularly for Black people in the United States? What are some of the hypotheses that researchers have put forward to explain this correlation?
  2. How might Mrs. Washburn’s diabetes—particularly given the lack of regular preventive care—be linked to her fall risk?
  3. What are we learning about the effects of institutional racism on the physical health of Black people in the United States, particularly Black women? How might Mrs. Washburn’s racial identity and the accumulated experiences of racism and discrimination affect her health in later life?
Biological Lens icon

Psychological Lens

The psychological dimension refers to the role of thoughts, emotion, and behavior on individual, group, or community functioning. Inclusion of this dimension also requires us to look at the mind-body connection in the assessment of a variety of common social work phenomena such as the emotional regulation of stress.

  1. It is important for Ms. Washburn to keep her diabetes under control. Two important factors in maintaining control are diet and exercise. What are some cognitive-behavioral strategies you might help Ms. Washburn to use so that she can adhere to a good management regimen?
  2. Ms. Washburn lost her husband within months of losing her son and his wife, and Roland Jr. moving in with her. What are the implications of these losses and life changes piling up one on top of the other so quickly?
  3. How might helping Mrs. Washburn with her psychological well-being support her physical health—and vice versa?
Psychological Lens icon

Social Lens

The social dimension refers to how individuals relate to various groups and institutions in society–and how groups and institutions relate to individuals, or classes of individuals.

  1. What is the role of social support in the management of depression? What social supports can be put in place for Ms. Washburn, as she struggles with her depression related to the losses she has endured?
  2. How could Mrs. Washburn’s history in the community provide a foundation for social connections that could aid her today? How might you go about leveraging those supports with her?
Social Lens icon

Spiritual Lens

The spiritual dimension refers to the role of religious or spiritual belief on well-being.

  1. How has the church functioned historically in the Black community?
  2. How might this role look different in Mrs. Washburn’s community in the Northwest, as compared to churches in communities in the South?
  3. What individual factors will influence the extent to which Mrs. Washburn’s church can be a valuable source of support for her?
Spiritual Lens icon

My Values

Compare social work values with your own personal values.

See my values