Psychological explanations for Schizophrenia A03

Question 1

Explain the evidence linking family disfunction to Sz

Answer 1

Read in 2005 found that adults with Sz are much more likely to have insecure attachment (type C or D)

He also found that 69% of women and 59% of men with Sz report having experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse

This strongly suggests that family disfunction does make people more vulnerable to Sz

Question 2

Explain why the poor evidence base for the schizophrenogenic mother and double bind is a limitation

Answer 2

There is almost no evidence to support the importance of traditional family-based theories e.g schizophrenogenic mother rand double bind

Both theories are based on clinical observation of patients and informal assessment of the personality of the mothers of patients

This means that family explanations have not been able to explain the link between childhood trauma and Sz

Question 3

Explain why research being socially sensitive because it can lead to parent blaming is a limitation

Answer 3

All three theories can be seen as socially sensitive as placing blame for the disorder on the parents, particularly the mother

This means that research into family dysfunction and Sz will always be very controversial

This creates additional stress for parents already seeing their child with Sz and taking responsibility for their care. To be blamed for it adds insult to injury.