One of the great mysteries of mental health is “how does it begin?”. While I was in my undergraduate studies, one of the main questions my professors enjoyed asking, is if mental health is based on nature or nurture. Several were polarized in their opinions, and would lean one way or the other. However, the Biosocial Theory allows for the experiences of nature (biology) and nurture (environment) to both be addressed. While an individual’s biological makeup and environment are both separate, the Biosocial Theory allows for the impact of both to address the occurrence of challenges with mental health, specifically difficulty in emotional regulation and maladaptive behaviors.
What is The Biosocial Theory?
The Biosocial Theory was proposed by Marsha Linehan, the creator and founder of Dialectical Behaviors Therapy. In this therapy model, the notion of dialects is highly emphasised. Dialects are opposing positions that exist at the same time. For example, loving someone deeply, while also being very angry at them. In this theory, Marsha Linehan “posits that problematic behaviors, adapted and adopted to regulate emotions, are rooted in the evolving interaction and transaction of biological and environmental factors”. While this theory is highly utilized in the explanation of the experience of borderline personality disorder, it also provides a basis to explain problematic behaviors and difficulty with regulating emotions.
What are the Components of the theory?
Biological component
One component of the biosocial theory is how an individual’s biological makeup contributes to their experience with emotional regulation and behaviors. A key part is addressing an individual’s naturally, heightened expressions of sensitivity. While sensitivity is not a negative attribute, it often is misunderstood due to societal standards and beliefs. “Without emotionally sensitive people, we wouldn’t have awe-inspiring paintings, beautiful poems or music that moves us to tears. Also, we probably wouldn’t have activists and healers of all sorts.” Think of sensitivity as your ability to access experiencing emotions. Some feel them more deeply than others, and neither experience wrong. It’s individual and unique.
Environmental component
The second component is related to the environment an individual is exposed to and lives in. Our environment is not just the space you live in. The environment also encompasses the individuals a person interacts with, as well as their responses to the person’s emotional expression. A validating environment is one in which emotional expression and sensitivity is accepted and discussed in a loving, empathetic manner. An invalidating environment is one where an individual is ostracized or criticized for their experience of emotions. For example being told they are too sensitive, overdramatic, or manipulative. “One key factor that negatively influences people who are wired to feel things deeply is growing up in an invalidating environment”. The invalidating environment is seen as a catalyst for difficulty in emotional regulation and the creation of problematic behaviors.
The overlap of biological and environmental components
Think of the Biosocial Theory as a venn diagram. One side of the circle is the biological components, the other side is the environmental components. The overlap is the individual’s experience and expression of emotions, behaviors, and emotional regulation. This is the opportunity to look at how a person’s biology and environment interact, together, to explain the presence of either success or difficulty in emotional regulation and behaviors.
Whether you grew up in an invalidating or validating environment, emotional regulation can be difficult, and lead to challenges in various realms of behavior. The Biosocial Theory can allow a visual explanation for your experiences, and help you understand your own experiences related to behaviors and emotions.
Are you interested in learning new strategies for regulating emotions? Reach out to Tx Harmony Counseling by giving us a call at 832-352-1600 or contact us through our website HERE.
