Social Risk Factors And Cumulative Risk

Question 1

Disorganised attachment

Answer 1

A social risk factor. A child needs a secure base of attachment. If this base is threatening, abusive or not there, the base is a source of distress. This can lead to disorganised attachment. Disorganised attachment results in avoidant personality. As adults they can struggle with relationships, trust and seeking help from others.

Question 2

Cumulative risk

Answer 2

The combination of multiple risk factors, making the occurence of mental illness more likely. For example, a person might have a neurotransmitter imbalance because of a genetic predisposition, and then they experience a significant life event such as divorce or the death of a loved one. This combination of factors may precipitate a mental disorder.

Question 3

Social risk factor

Answer 3

A social or cultural influence that can decrease an individual’s mental health.

Question 4

Significant relationship

Answer 4

A close social connection an individual has with a family member, friend or other impotant individual. Social connections are one of our greatest protective factors.The loss of these networks can be devastating and are a social risk factor. Can lead to grief and bereavement disorders.

Question 5

Stigma

Answer 5

A negative label associated with social disapproval or rejection by others who are not labelled in that way. A stigma that mental disorders are abnormal or dangerous may be a social risk factor as it can act as a barrier to individuals seeking and/or accessing treatment.

Question 6

3 social risk factors

Answer 6

Disorganised attachment

Loss of a significant relationship

Stigma as a barrier to accessing treatment

Question 7

Loss of a significant relationship

Answer 7

Can be due to separation from a partner, the breakdown of a relationship or the death of family/friend. These factors can contribute to an individual experiencing anxiety and/or depression. For some people, the death of a loved one can cause acute grief that worsens over time rather than getting better. This mental health condition is known as complicated bereavement disorder.

Question 8

Stigma as a barrier to accessing treatment

Answer 8

Stereotyping of people with a mental disorder, eg beliefs that they are dangerous can lead sufferers and families to avoid seeking treatment for fear of being associated with that stereotype. May also avoid seeking treatment because they do not want to seem weak to families/friends when, in actual fact, suffering with a mental disorder can have nothing to do with personal strength at all.