Interactionist Approach To Explaining And Treating Schizophrenia Flashcards
(7 cards)
What does interactionism mean
An approach that recognises there are biological, psychological and societal factors in the development of SZ. It takes more of a holistic approach
What is the original diathesis stress model
Diathesis means vulnerability and stress means negative psychological experience. This model says that both a vulnerability to SZ and a stress trigger that develops it. Meehl says someone must have a schizogene to develop the disorder
What is the issue with the original diathesis stress model
It is over simplified. Now we know that more than one gene is implicated in SZ for example Ripke identified 108 genes associated with the disorder so there is no single schizogene. It is polygenic
What is the modern diathesis stress model
Read et al proposed a model in which early trauma alters the brain and makes the HPA system become overactive. This makes the person more vulnerable to stress so the diathesis is the early trauma rather than genetics.
EVALUATION of interactionism approach explanation
PEEL 1 STRENGTH
evidence to support dual role of genes and stress - Tienari et al studied 145 children who had at least one biological parent with SZ and were adopted into a new family and compared them with 158 adoptees without this genetic risk and found that parents with high levels of criticism, conflict and low empathy were related to development of SZ but only in high genetic risk group - supports genetic disposition and stress - however genetic influence is over emphasised in ODSM and downplays environment impacting genetics (eugenics)
PEEL 2 WEAKNESS
Diathesis may not be exclusively genetic and stress may involve anything that risks triggering SZ - brain damage caused by environmental factors - Verdoux et al estimated that the risk of developing SZ later in life was 4x higher for patients who had experienced prolonged labour and oxygen deprivation - suggests DSM may be oversimplified - however still supports that an interactionsit approach to SZ is important in that vulnerabilities and triggers add together in some way to produce SZ
PEEL 3 - STRENGTH
Support for the usefulness of adopting an interactionsit approach- Tarrier et al randomly allocated 315 patients to a medication and CBT group, a medication and supportive counselling group or a control group (medication alone). They found patients in the two combination groups showed lower symptom levels than those in control group - this suggests a clear practical advantage to adopting an interactionsit approach in the form of superior treatment outcomes - however treatment fallacy and costly
How does an interactionsit treatment work for SZ
SZ is compatible with both biological and psychological treatments - antipsychotics and CBT
Evaluation points for interactionsit treatment
Effective - tarrier et al 315 patients with medication and therapy showed fewer symptoms
Effect on relapse - hogarty et al 0% relapse rate in a year long study for both CBT and drugs
Symptom severity - fewer positive symptoms, less severe and fewer days in hospitals
Practical issues in real life - USA use just drug treatments however the UK has long waiting lists for therapies so not effective so maybe interactionsit approach isn’t really adopted in either
