BEYOND THE PSYCHOSOMATIC FAMILY - A BIOBEHAVIORAL FAMILY MODEL OF PEDIATRIC ILLNESS

This article proposes a multilevel systems model of the interactive bi ological, psychological, and social processes in childhood illness. Th is heuristic model can organize the investigation of pathways and mech anisms by which these levels influence one another. A pivotal feature of this biobehavioral family model is the construct of responsivity, w hich is conceptualized at both family (interpersonal responsivity) and individual (biobehavioral reactivity) levels. Individual biobehaviora l reactivity is proposed as a bidirectional pathway by which family pa tterns and disease processes influence one another. Illustrative clini cal material and relevant research are presented with recommendations for future study. This model integrates individual and family-level th eory and thus has the capacity to bridge the fields of psychosomatics, pediatrics, behavioral medicine, and family systems medicine.