Psychological Explanations-family dysfunction Flashcards
Family dysfunction
Processes within a family such as poor communication cold parenting and high levels of expressed emotion.
Risk factors for the development and maintenance of schizophrenia .
Psychologists linked SZ to early childhood and adult experiences .
The schizophrenogenic mother
Framm-Reichman- psychodynamic explanation- based on accounts from her patients.
Specific type of parent - cold, rejecting, controlling. Tense and secretive atmosphere. Leads to distress that later develops into paranoid delusions
Double bind theory
Bateson-family climate is important. Emphasise role of communication style within the family
Fears doing the wrong thing , receives mixed messages about what this is, unable to comment unfairness and seek clarification.
When they do wrong they are punished with the withdrawal of love feeling like the world is dangerous and confusing . Eg. Disorganised thinking and paranoid delusions.
Expressed emotion
Level of emotion expressed towards AZ patient by their carers
- Verbal criticism and violence. -hostility, anger and rejection -emotional over involvement, endless self sacrifice
These are sources of stress for the sufferer -primary explanation for relapse-may trigger vulnerable
Strength-research support
Evidence linking family to SZ -link to insecure attachment and family trauma
Read - 69% of women and 59% of men with SZ had a history of physical/sexual abuse.
Report at least one childhood trauma
Storm suggests family dysfunction play a role
Limitations-lack support
Plenty of evidence for childhood stress but non-to support the importance of schizophrenogenic mother and double bind
Both of these are based on observations and informal assessment methods -no systematic evidence
Limitations-parent blaming
Insecure attachment and childhood trauma can cause SZ
Socially sensitive - parent blaming-distressing if you think it’s your fault
