Schizophrenia - psychological explanations: family dysfunction

Question 1

what is the family dysfunction explanation for schizophrenia

Answer 1

the interpersonal relationships within a family result in schizophrenic symptoms. the family experience consists of conflict, communication issues, control and criticism

Question 2

what are the three parts of family dysfunction explanation

Answer 2

schizophrenogenic mother, double bind theory and expressed emotions

Question 3

schizophrenogenic mother

Answer 3

proposed by Fromm-Richmann (1948)
cold, rejecting and controlling mother, making the family dynamic tense and secretive. this leads to trust issues and therefore paranoid delusions

Question 4

double bind theory

Answer 4

Bateson et al (1972)
child is given mixed signals, nothing they can do can please the parent and they are scared of doing something ‘wrong’ as when they do, all love is withdrawn. this makes the world seem confusing and scary, leading to disorganised thinking and paranoia

Question 5

expressed emotion

Answer 5

high levels of intense expressed emotion from the parent causes stress to the child.
- verbal criticism, usually paired with violence
- hostility
- emotional overinvolvement

Question 6

strengths of the family dysfunction explanation of schizophrenia

Answer 6

+evidence of childhood trauma impacting schizophrenia risk. Read -> people w/ schizophrenia = more insecure attachments. 64% have history of abuse
+ Medwick’s longitudinal study. child 10x more likely to be diagnosed w/ schizophrenia if mother has schizophrenogenic traits

Question 7

limitations of the family dysfunction explanation of schizophrenia

Answer 7

• most supporting evidence is based on clinical observation and informal assessments of personality, with no systematic evidence. subjective and unscientific = unreliable and invalid
• socially sensitive research, can lead to parent blaming, specifically of the mother. should consider if it’s worth the impact.