Schizophrenia: An interactionist approach Flashcards
How does the diathesis stress model determine whether an individual will develop SZ?
Diathesis (genetic predisposition to develop SZ) + stress (any environmental factor that could trigger the disorder).
If this exceeds threshold, SZ will occur.
What is included in the diathesis?
Genetic factos
Exposure to flu virus during gestation can alter nervous system causing SZ vulnerability
Birth complications can alter CNS
What is included in the stress?
Family dysfunction (high EE)
Trauma (abuse/neglect)
Parenting style
Exposure to particular chemicals e.g. chemicals
Who investigated different influences on the onset of SZ?
Tienari et al.
How did Tienari et al. investigate the influences on SZ?
Longitudinal study.
19,000 Finish children adopted away from biological mothers who had SZ.
Assessed rearing style of adoptive family. Compared to adopted group with no SZ family member.
What did Tienari et al. find about the influences on SZ?
After 21 years, they found that in adoptees with high diathesis, but not those with low diathesis, an adoptive family with high EE was a significant predictor of SZ.
Suggests relatively unimportant factors alone, but combined increase SZ risk.
What does the interactionist approach suggest about treatment of SZ?
Acknowledges both biological and environmental influences.
Treatments should include biological treatments and psychotic treatments such as CBT or family therapy.
AO3: Interactionist approach
+Supporting research
+Economic benefits
+Could be a more complete explanation
-Limitations of Tienari’s study
(+AO3) Describe research support for using an interactionist treatment.
Tarrier found taking 20 CBT (+booster) sessions a year and using antipsychotic drugs was more effective in reducing symptom levels than patients receiving drugs alone.
Also found counselling + drugs to be more effective than just drugs. Shows value of multiple treatments.
(+AO3) Describe economic benefits of the interactionist approach.
May be more costly short-term.
But significant reductions in relapse rates when using an interactionist approach reduce spending on SZ hospitalisation.
E.g. NICE review into costs/benefits of family therapy found it to be significantly beneficial to the economy.
(+AO3) How can this more complete explanation of SZ be effectively used in areas other than treatment?
Prevent development of SZ and other disorders in the first place.
Especially important in individuals with high vulnerability.
Can be educated to avoid high levels of stress or known triggers e.g. cannabis to prevent disorder from happening.
Shows value of interactionist.
(-AO3) Describe limitations of the Tienari et al. study.
When assessing stress levels on a scale, family stress levels were only measured at one point in time.
Fails to recognise development of family situations which is key in SZ diagnosis.
Also issues of causality - does high EE cause SZ or did SZ cause high EE?
Overall less internal validity.
