6.3: Psychological explanations for schizophrenia - Family dysfunction

Question 1

Outline family dysfunction as an explanation for schizophrenia (4 marks)

Answer 1

Possible content
 Characteristics of dysfunction eg difficulties in communication, high levels of interpersonal
conflict
 Critical and controlling parents, expressed emotion
 The role of double bind in the development of negative symptoms
 The role of hostility and disapproval in positive symptoms and relapse
 The role of expressed emotion in relapse

Question 2

Noel is a young man who has had several schizophrenic episodes. Every time he seems to be recovering, leaves hospital and returns to his family he relapses within a short period of time. His family members have trouble communicating with each other properly and are constantly arguing. Both his parents are very critical and controlling of their children.

Refer to the above scenario to explain the family dysfunction explanation of schizophrenia (4 marks)

Answer 2

The family dysfunction explanation concerns the idea that maladaptive family relationships and patterns of communication contribute to the development of
schizophrenia.
Noel seems to fit this explanation, as every time he shows improvement in his condition and leaves hospital, he quickly relapses.
This seems to be related to his family members having trouble communicating with each other and
constantly arguing

Question 3

Noel is a young man who has had several schizophrenic episodes. Every time he seems to be recovering, leaves hospital and returns to his family he relapses within a short period of time. His family members have trouble communicating with each other properly and are constantly arguing. Both his parents are very critical and controlling of their children.

Refer to the above scenario to explain the family dysfunction explanation of schizophrenia (4 marks).
The family dysfunction explanation concerns the idea that maladaptive family relationships and patterns of communication contribute to the development of
schizophrenia.
Noel seems to fit this explanation, as every time he shows improvement in his condition and leaves hospital, he quickly relapses.
This seems to be related to his family members having trouble communicating with each other and
constantly arguing.

Answer 3

Another feature of the family dysfunction explanation is that parents will often be excessively critical and controlling of their children.
Noel’s parents demonstrate both of these features