Psychological explanation: Family dysfunction Flashcards
What are the 3 family dysfunction explanations?
- Schizophrenogenic mother.
- Double-bind theory.
- Expressed emotion.
What are the traits of a schizophrenogenic mother?
Cold, rejecting and controlling.
What does the schizophrenogenic mother cause in the house?
A family climate characterised by tension and secrecy.
What does the schizophrenogenic mother cause for the sz child?
Causes them to develop paranoid delusions.
What is the double-bind theory?
When the child finds themselves fearing doing the wrong thing, but is receiving mixed messages about what is right and wrong and feels unable to seek clarification on this.
What does the mixed messages cause for the child? (D-B theory)
Causes them to see the world as confusing and dangerous.
Results in disorganised thinking and paranoid delusions.
What is the expressed emotion explanation?
When the SZ patient is shown negative emotions towards them.
What does the expressed emotion explanation include?
- Verbal criticism of the patient.
- Hostility including anger.
- Emotional overinvolvement.
What does expressed emotion cause for the patient?
Causes stress for them, which can result in a relapse for them.
What is one strength of these explanations? - Links of family dysfunction to SZ.
- Insecure attachments and exposure to childhood trauma can result in SZ.
- Read et al: 69% of women and 59% of men with SZ have a history of physical or sexual abuse.
- Strongly suggests family dysfuntion makes people more vulnerable.
What is a limitation of the family dysfunction explanation? - Parent-blaming.
- Could be considered socially sensitive.
- Parents may take the blame and feel responsible for their child developing SZ, may add insult to the injury.
