Biopsychosocial assessment is fundamental to social work practice and shows up throughout the Assessment and Diagnosis section of the ASWB exam. You'll want to know this model inside and out.
The biopsychosocial assessment framework recognizes that human behavior and well-being result from the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Developed by George Engel in the 1970s as an alternative to the purely medical model, it's now a cornerstone of social work assessment.
The Three Domains:
Biological - Physical health, genetic factors, medications, substance use, sleep patterns, nutrition, chronic illness, brain chemistry, developmental factors, and any medical conditions affecting functioning.
Psychological - Mental health history, cognition, emotional regulation, coping mechanisms, self-esteem, trauma history, defense mechanisms, thought patterns, and internal psychological processes.
Social - Family systems, relationships, cultural background, socioeconomic status, employment, housing, education, community resources, social support networks, and environmental stressors.
The key insight here is that these three domains don't operate independently—they influence each other constantly. Depression (psychological) can manifest as fatigue and sleep problems (biological) and lead to job loss and social isolation (social). Understanding these interconnections is what makes assessment comprehensive rather than reductionist.
For the exam, remember that a complete biopsychosocial assessment goes beyond just checking boxes in three categories. It explores how factors interact and compound to create the client's current situation. This holistic view is what distinguishes social work assessment from purely medical or purely psychological approaches.
Some social workers add "spiritual" to create a biopsychosocial-spiritual model, recognizing that meaning-making and existential concerns are often central to client well-being.
