Interactionist Approach

Question 1

original model

Answer 1

meehl

diathesis= vulnerability- only caused by single schizo-gene

states if you don’t have Schizogene no amount of stress will cause you to develop Sz
but if you do have schizogene, chronic stress can cause Sz

Question 2

Tenari study procedure

Answer 2

Procedure:
offspring of 20,000 women from psychiatric hospital in finland 1960-79 (at least once diagnosed with Sz). The offspring of these who where adopted away formed ‘High risk group’.
145 high risk paired with 158 adoptees without genetic risk ‘Low risk group’.
total group of 303

blind researchers tested both groups of adoptees after 12 and 21 years. also assessed family environment on OPAS Scale. (measures family conditions such as parent-offspring conflict, lack of empathy, insecurity)

compared genetic vulnerability and family environment to see impact on development of Sz

Question 3

Tenari study findings

Answer 3

Findings:
of 303 adoptees, 14 developed Sz over course of study
11 from high risk 3 from low risk.

Found that being adopted into a ‘healthy’ psychological environment has a protective effect, even for those that had a high genetic risk.
In adoptees at high risk of schizophrenia, but not in those at low genetic risk, adoptive-family stress was a significant predictor of the development of schizophrenia

Suggests there is genetic predisposition to the disorder (diathesis) but that the stressful event (family dysfunction) can trigger the disorder as
5.8% Sz in psychologically healthy families but
36.8% in dysfunctional families.

Question 4

Updated/modern understanding of diathesis stress model

Answer 4

diathesis-
-No ‘Schizogene’- Ripke
-Flu in late pregnancy, birth complications- Canon
-Includes psychological trauma- Ingram
-Some psychological trauma affects early brain development e.g. an overactive (HPA) axis which makes you more vulnerable to stress.

stress-
-stress is anything that can act as a trigger- houston
-di forti THC rich cannabis increase 7x
-stress can be social, biological, psychological in nature

Question 5

interactionist approach to treatment for Sz

Answer 5

combine bio (drugs) and psychological (family therapy and CBTP)
Turkington said it’s possible to believe in a biological cause of Sz and still engage in CBT - but this requires an interactionist approach.

Question 6

Strength Interactionist approach for Sz (updated)

Answer 6

was limited but updated has become more holistic and thorough making it more valid

Question 7

strength interactionist approach for Sz (practical)

Answer 7

has great practical application, can tailor make plan using drugs and therapy, perfect for individual whilst having holistic approach

Question 8

limitation interactionist approach for Sz (unclear)

Answer 8

fundamental mechanism of how stress can trigger biological response is unclear. many complex factors involved in this response which are hard to gauge empirically