Psychological explanations for SZ: family dysfunction Flashcards
what is the family dysfunction theory
trying to link SZ to childhood and adult experiences of living in a dysfunctional family
what are the 3 main theories in the family dysfunction theory
- schizophrenogenic mother
- double - bind theory
- expressed emotion
define schizophrenogenic mother
“schizophrenia causing”
Fromm - Reichmann (1948)
who came up with the schizophrenogenic mother theory
Fromm - Reichmann (1948)
why can the schizophrenogenic mother explanation be described as a psychodynamic explanation
based on childhood accounts
what is the basis of the schizophrenogenic mother explaination
when interviewing her patients a particular type of parent reoccurred she called them “schizophrenogenic mother”
what 5 attributes does a schizophrenogenic mother have
- cold
- rejecting
- critical
- controlling
- creates family environment of tension and secrecy
what does the “schizophrenogenic mother” parenting style potentially lead to?
this parenting style leads to distrust that later develops into paranoid delusions and ultimately SZ
who devised the double bind theory
Bateson et al (1972)
what did Bateson et al (1972) say the cause of schizophrenia is
family environment
with emphasis of the role of communication style within a family
explain the double bind theory
the developing child fears wrong doing but gets mixed messages about what is “wrong”
they are unable to comment on the unfairness of the situation or seek clarification
when they get it “wrong” frequently child is punished by withdrawal of love
what are the 2 impacts of double bind theory on people
- child is confused, finds the world a frightening and dangerous place
- results in paranoid delusions and disorganised thinking
But, Bateson said this was a risk factor and didn’t always exist in families with SZ
what is expressed emotion
the level of negative emotion expressed towards a schizophrenic patient by their family/carers
what are the 3 elements to expressed emotion
- verbal criticism (sometimes accompanied by violence)
- hostility (anger + rejection)
- emotional overinvolvement (needless self sacrifice)
what does high levels of expressed emotions result in
high levels of expressed emotion is a serious source of stress for the patient
this is an explanation of relapse rather than a cause of schizophrenia. But in vulnerable people this could trigger the onset with SZ
