Family Dysfunction As An Explanation Of Schizophrenia Flashcards
(5 cards)
How does the Scizophrenogenic mother relate to family dysfunction as an explanation for Sz?
- Reichmann proposed a psychodynamic explanation based on accounts of patients childhood.
- ‘Schizophrenogenic’ = ‘schizophrenia causing’
- cold, rejecting and controlling, creates a family climate characterised by tension and secrecy
- leads to distrust and paranoid delusions
How does double-bind theory relate to family dysfunction as an explanation for SZ?
- Bateson emphasised the role of family communication. Child fears doing wrong thing, but receive mixed messages about what that is, unable to comment on unfairness or seek clarification
- When they get it ‘wrong’ (often) child is punished by withdrawal of love - see the world as confusing and dangerous reflected in paranoid delusions
- Bateson was clear this is merely a risk factor
How is Expressed emotion related to family dysfunction as a psychological explanation for Schizophrenia?
EE is the level of emotion expressed towards patients by carers (often family members), there are 3 example of this:
- Verbal criticism (can be accompanied by violence)
- Hostility towards person
- Emotional over-involvement in the life of patient (needless self-sacrifice)
Serious source of stress for them, explanation for relapse in those with Sz may trigger onset of Sz is a person who is already vulnerable
Research support as a strength of family dysfunction as a treatment for Sz?
- family dysfunction includes insecure attachment and exposure to childhood trauma including abuse - Read et al adults with Sz are disproportionally likely to have insecure attachment - 69% of women and 59% of men have a history of physical/sexual abuse
How is their poor evidence to support family dysfunction as an explanation for Sz?
- none to support the importance of traditional family based theories such as schizophrenogenic mother and double bind, based on clinical observation and informal assessments of mother personality
