Module 3.1.4: Diathesis-Stress Models

Question 1

Diathesis-Stress Models

Answer 1

A model that describes how mental disorders may develop when someone who has a preexisting vulnerability for that disorder experience a major stressor

Question 2

Diathesis

Answer 2

a vulnerability; a predisposition towards developing a disorder that can derive from biological, psychological, or sociocultural causal factors

Question 3

What is the criteria for someone to develop/have a diathesis?

Answer 3

1. One or more relatively distal necessary or contributory causes, but is generally not sufficient to cause the disorder
2. There must be a more proximal factor (the stressor) which may also be contributory or necessary but is generally not sufficient by itself to cause the disorder except in someone with the diathesis
3. Factors contributing to the development of a diathesis are themselves sometimes highly potent stressors

Question 4

Stress

Answer 4

the response or experience of an individual to demands that he or she perceives as taxing or exceeding his or her personal resources

Question 5

When is stress most likely to occur?

Answer 5

Often occurs when an individual experiences chronic or episodic events that are undesirable and leads to behavioral, physiological, and cognitive accommodations

Question 6

What are the types of diathesis-stress models?

Answer 6

1. Additive Model
2. Interactive Model

Question 7

Additive Model

Answer 7

the diathesis and the stress sum together (diathesis + stress = mental disorder)

Question 8

If we refer to the additive model, can a person with no diathesis still have a mental disorder when faced with severe stress?

Answer 8

Yes, a person with no diathesis or very low level of diathesis can still develop a disorder when faced with truly severe stress

Question 9

Interactive Model

Answer 9

some amount of diathesis must be present before stress will have any effect (diathesis*0 + stress = no mental disorder)

Question 10

If we refer to the interactive model, can a person with no diathesis still have a mental disorder when faced with severe stress?

Answer 10

No. According to the interactive model, a person will need some amount of diathesis present first to have a mental disorder. So if a person is faced with an extreme stressor, if they do not have the predispositions for the disorder, they will not develop the disorder at all.