Schizophrenia : The Interactionist Approach To Schizophrenia Flashcards
What does the Interactionist approach suggest?
Suggests that both biological and psychological explanations and therapies should be used in relation to SZ to reflect both the biological and psychological aspects. The diathesis-stress model is central to the idea of the interactionist approach.
What does the original diathesis-stress model propose?
Proposed that the diathesis is biological in origin i.e a single shizogene which causes a schizotypic personality which in turn eventually manifests itself as schizophrenia however this only occurs when the diathesis is accompanied by a purely psychological stressor (excessive exposure to stress, particularly through the schizophrenic mother).
What is the modern understanding of diathesis stress?
It might not be biological in origin but could also be psychological, such as in the form of childhood trauma. It is also not just one gene, Ripke found over 108 candidate genes’
What can be a diathesis?
Anything that increases the risk of SZ - psychological and biological factors
How does treatment for SZ follow the diathesis stress model?
Biological treatments appear to address the direct causes whilst psychological treatments appear to be more well-suited in treating the proximal causes.
Strengths of interactionist approach?
+ Research support. 315 patients were randomly allocated to one of three conditions. Last control group received no treatment and the first two groups received a combination of psychological and biological treatments. After an 18 month follow up there were significant advantages for CBT and supportive counselling over TAU alone on symptom measures at 18 months but no group difference was seen for relapse or rehospitalisation. Therefore, combined psychological treatments can have a beneficial long term effect on symptom reduction.
Limitations of interactionist approach?
The original diathesis-stress model can be considered as an over-simplified explanation of SZ and a reflection of the outdated understanding of SZ in the mid-twentieth century. Ripke demonstrated that there are over 108 candidate genes, each slightly increasing the risk of SZ and so there is no single ‘schizogene’. Stress can come in many forms apart from schizophrenogenic mother, such as high levels of expressed emotion, childhood trauma and the excessive use of cannabis. Therefore, the diathesis is not exclusively biological,nor is the stressor exclusively psychological. Hence, this may also be considered a strength in the sense that our current understanding of SZ is far more accurate than the original perspective.
Explain Tienari’s procedure and findings
Procedure =adopted children of mothers with sz compared with adopted children without this vulnerability. Assessed over a 21-year period; adopted family also assessed using rating scale
Findings = 14 adoptees developed schizophrenia, 11 from schizophrenia group . Healthy adoptive family had protective effect, disturbed family likely to trigger schizophrenia
Explain why diatheses may not be exclusively genetic
Individuals may also develop a vulnerability to schizophrenia if they experience birth complications . Verdoux estimated that the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life for individuals who have experienced prolonged labour which can cause oxygen deprivation is 4x greater than those who experience no such complications
