Final answer:
The illness model is a concept used in medical sociology to understand health and illness from a sociocultural perspective. It recognizes that illness is not solely a result of biological abnormalities, but is also influenced by sociocultural factors. This approach helps us understand that cultural and social factors play a significant role in shaping an individual's experience of illness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The illness model is a concept used in medical sociology to understand health and illness from a sociocultural perspective. It suggests that illness is not just a biological abnormality, but also influenced by sociocultural factors. According to this model, illness is the sociocultural experience of health, while disease refers to the biological abnormality.
For example, let's consider the common illness of depression. From a medically constructed perspective, depression may be understood as a chemical imbalance in the brain. However, from a socially constructed perspective, depression can also be influenced by cultural norms, social expectations, and individual experiences.
This sociocultural approach to understanding health and illness helps us recognize that there are multiple factors at play beyond just biology, and that cultural and social factors can significantly impact an individual's experience of illness.