The interactionist approach to explaining schizophrenia Flashcards
What does the diathesis stress model show?
how different factors might interact to contribute to the development of Sz
What is the diathesis?
(vulnerability)
genetics
What is the stress (trigger)?
negative psychological experience
Who is Meehl? (1962)
created the original diathesis stress model
Meehl’s - diathesis
focused of the role of genetics
vulnerability as a result of schizogene
Meehl’s - stress
What are the stressors?
- chronic stress through childhood + adolescence
2. presence of schizophrenogenic mother
What is the modern understanding of diathesis + stress?
Suggests that there are other vulnerabilities (diathesis) + stressors (stress) that contribute to the role of genetics + environment
Name the researchers who did research on the diathesis
Ripke et al (2014)
Ingram & Luxton (2005)
Read et al (2001)
Ripke et al (2014) - role of genetics
Suggested multiple genes can increase genetic vulnerability to Sz
(not a single ‘schizogene’)
Ingram & Luxton (2005) - diathesis
suggested diathesis can include a range of factors beyond genetics
e.g. psychological trauma
Read et al (2001) - diathesis
Suggested early & severe enough trauma can affect aspects of brain development
Read et al (2001) - diathesis example
overactive hypothalamic-pituritary-adrenal
(HPA) (fight or flight system)
can make a person more vulnerable to later stress
Name the researchers who did research on ‘stress’
Houston et al (2008)
Role of cannabis
Houston et al (2008) - stressors
Suggested ‘stress’ can include anything that risks triggering schizophrenia
Role of cannabis - stressors
Increases risk of Sz by up to 7x according to dose
HOWEVER
Not everyone develops Sz when they smoke
This suggests that there are multiple factors which can make a person vulnerable to Sz.
