Diathesis-Stress

Question 1

Diathesis-Stress Model for SZ

Answer 1

• Diathesis is entirely genetic - genes assumed to cause neurochemical abnormalities that result in an increased risk for SZ
• If a person doesn’t have genetic vulnerability, no amount of stress would lead to SZ
• The stress for SZ is a negative psychological experience
• Chronic stress in someone with genetic vulnerability could result in SZ
• It is thought that diathesis and stress work together to produce SZ

Question 2

Tienari et al (2004): Aim

Answer 2

To see whether genetic factors moderate susceptibility to environmental risks associated with adoptive family functioning (Two-tailed hypothesis, investigation)

Question 3

Tienari et al (2004): Procedure

Answer 3

• Checked hospital records to identify women who’d had a psychotic episode and noted who’d given kids for adoption
• 145 high risk adoptees / 158 control adoptees
• Both groups assessed after 12 years, and then at 21 - family functioning also assessed
• Interviews kept blind about status of biological mother to avoid investigator effects

Question 4

Tienari et al (2004): Findings

Answer 4

303 adoptees looked at
* 14 developed SZ
* 11 of these in high risk group
* Healthy adoptive family environment significantly reduced chance of SZ for high risk people
* Adoptive family stress predicted SZ development in high risk group, but not in control

Question 5

Tienari et al (2004): Conclusion

Answer 5

• Diathesis-Stress
• Interactive relationship between biological risk and environmental stress
• Presence of each affects the other to produce an effect larger than the sum of both