Neuroplasticity, psychosocial genomics, and the biopsychosocial paradigm in the 21st century.
The biopsychosocial perspective is a foundation of social work theory and practice. Recent research on neuroplasticity and psychosocial genomics lends compelling support to this perspective by elucidating mechanisms through which psychosocial forces shape neurobiology. Investigations of neuroplasticity demonstrate that the adult brain can continue to form novel neural connections and grow new neurons in response to learning or training even into old age. These findings are complemented by the contributions of psychosocial genomics, a field of scientific inquiry that explores the modulating effects of experience on gene expression. Findings from these new sciences provide external validation for the biopsychosocial perspective and offer important insights into the manifold means by which socioenvironmental experiences influence neurobiological structure and function across the life course.
Garland
Eric L
EL
School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Durham, NC 27713, USA. elgarlan@email.unc.edu
Howard
Matthew Owen
MO
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012931:Social Environment; D012947:Social Work / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends