Context · 2027 Syllabus
Health and Well-being
Concepts of health and well-being have evolved since ancient Greek and Roman history. Recently it has become clear that mental and physical health are encompassed by the mind–body interaction and any separation between them is artificial. Thus, the study of mental health and physical health has been combined in order to take a holistic approach to health.
Well-being is related to physical and mental health but is also distinct from personal well-being, which is the self-reported state of a pleasant and satisfying quality of life. Mental and physical health can to some extent be objectively measured, while the state of well-being is subjectively reported, but has equal validity for the individual (adapted from Vögele, 2022).
Source: International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). (2023). Psychology guide (first assessment 2027), pp. 28–30. IBO. ibo.org
Study Notes in This Context
Mental Health Disorders
Health Problems
Prevention and Treatment
Key Areas of Inquiry
As set out in the IB Psychology Guide (first assessment 2027), pp. 28–30. Subheadings are for convenience of presentation and will not be used in the formation of examination questions.
Mental Health Disorders
Students should have an understanding of one or more of the following: major depressive disorder, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders or anxiety disorders.
| Area of Study | Learning Objective |
|---|---|
| Biological explanations |
|
| Cognitive models |
|
| Cultural differences |
|
| Environmental factors |
|
Health Problems
Students should have an understanding of one or more of the following: obesity, drug misuse or abuse, or social media addiction.
| Area of Study | Learning Objective |
|---|---|
| Prevalence of health problems |
|
| Social learning and health |
|
| Stress and health |
|
Prevention and Treatment
Students should have an understanding of prevention and treatment in relation to the mental health disorders and health problems selected from the above.
| Area of Study | Learning Objective |
|---|---|
| Biological treatment for one disorder | The explanation and effectiveness of one or more biological treatments of one or more mental health disorders. |
| Prevention and/or treatment for one health problem | The effectiveness of one or more prevention and/or treatment strategies for one or more health problems. |
| Psychological treatment for one disorder | The explanation and effectiveness of one or more psychological treatments of one or more mental health disorders. |
Tables 4.1, 4.2 & 4.3 — Areas of study and learning objectives for Health and Well-being. IBO (2023), pp. 28–30.