Interactionist Approach Flashcards
Diathesis Stress Model
Sz is the result of a combination of having a genetic vulnerability and experiencing environmental stressors such as life events, childhood trauma, or urban living
- Joseph (2004): meta-analysis of all Sz twin studies before 2001, overall concordance rate if 40.4% for MZ and 7.4% for DZ
Meehl’s (1962) Original Diathesis Stress Model
- Diathesis is entirely genetic; one specific schizogene
- No amount of stress will lead to schizophrenia if the gene isn’t present
- Chronic stress in someone with the gene could lead to the development of Sz
:( Too narrow understanding: Ripke found the existence of 108 candidate genes
Modern understanding of ’diathesis’
- Genes:
-> not one gene, Ripke (2014) - Other vulnerabilities:
-> psychological trauma (can also be a vulnerability not just a stressor)
Effect of psychological trauma: Read et al (2001)
- Neurodevelopmental model where early trauma can alter the developing brain
- can cause the HPA system to become overactive
- HPA system regulates the body’s response to stress
Modern understanding of ’stress’
- Evidence shows that cannabis use can increase the risk of Sz by up to 7x
- Anything which can attribute to triggering Sz
Interactionist approach: :) Varese (2012)
- Childhood trauma
-> children under 16 were 3x more likely to develop Sz if they had experiences severe trauma
-> greater trauma = greater risk - :( correlation not causation, third variable problem
Interactionist approach: :) Vassos (2012)
- Urban Living
-> risk of Sz was 2.37x higher in the most urban areas than rural areas
-> conditional relationship - :( Meta-analysis may include biased data
- :( Correlation not causation
- :) Representative
Treatment according to Interactionism
- Turkington et al: we can still believe Sz has a biological basis but use it alongside CBT to relieve psychological symptoms
UK vs USA: the interactionist approach
UK: perfectly acceptable to use a combination of both therapies
USA: conflict between psychological and biological therapies have led to a slower adoption
Interactionist Approach: :) Houston et al (2008)
- Childhood sexual abuse emerged as the major influence on vulnerability
- Cannabis use emerged as the major influence on stress
Interactionist Approach: :( Urbanisation
People with Sz may move to the cities due to better healthcare or are just more likely to seek help
-> not solid evidence of cause and effect
Interactionist Approach: :( Romans-Clarkson et al (1990)
No urban-rural differences between mental health among women in New Zealand
Interactionist Approach: :( Neural vulnerability not genetic
- Verdoux et al (1998)
- risk of developing Sz is 4x greater for individuals who have experienced obstetric complications at birth
