Psychological explanations for SZ: Family Dysfunction

Question 1

family dysfunction explanation: intro

Answer 1

Many psychological explanations have focused on the role of the family in SZ

‘Family dysfunction’ explanations claim that the risk of SZ is increased by abnormal patterns of communication within the family.

Question 2

what are the family dysfunction explanations

Answer 2

• double bind theory
• schizophrenogenic mother
• expressed emotions

Question 3

family dysfunction explanation:
double bind theory

Answer 3

Bateson et al (1972): children who receive contradictory messages from their parents are more likely to develop SZ.

Eg. if a mother tells her son she loves him, while turning her head away in disgust

Child finds themselves trapped in situations where they fear doing the wrong thing but receive mixed messages about how to think or behave.

Leaves the child with an understanding of the world as confusing and dangerous -> later reflected in symptoms such as paranoid delusions.

Question 4

family dysfunction explanation:
schizophrenogenic mother

Answer 4

Freida Fromm-Reichmann (1948): many patients who were asked about their childhood described a mother who is cold, rejecting, controlling and an atmosphere in the home characterised by tension and secrecy.

The ‘schizophrenia-causing’ mother leads to distrust which can cause paranoid delusions.

Question 5

family dysfunction explanation:
expressed emotion

Answer 5

Related to course of SZ, not cause.

EE = level of emotion expressed towards a SZ sufferer by their family (or carers).

EE shown in different ways eg:
• Verbal criticism (showing hostility, anger, rejection)
• Emotional over-involvement in the life of the patient, including needless self-sacrifice -> no autonomy

High levels of EE lead to poorer outcomes and an increased likelihood of relapse/return to psychotic experiences for the patient.

Question 6

evaluate family dysfunction explanation:
STRENGTHS

Answer 6

P) support for double-bind theory: Berger 1965
E) schizophrenics reported higher recall of double-blind statements from their mothers than non-schizophrenics.
L) contradictory messages during upbringing may increase the risk of SZ in later life
E) BUT, recollection may be unreliable

P) support for EE in the course of SZ:
Tienari et al (2004)
E) assessed adopted children whose biological mother had SZ compared to a control group of adoptees without any genetic risk.
E) parenting style highly critical/low levels of empathy, greatly increased the risk of SZ
E) BUT ‘healthy’ adoptive family had a protective effect on those at a high genetic risk.
L) EE can increase the risk but low EE can help prevent SZ

P) support for dysfunctional events within a family as a risk factor from Read et al
E) 69% of female and 59% of male SZs had history of physica/sexual abuse.
L) family dysfunction in the form of abuse may be a risk factor for development of SZ in future

P) practical applications
E) focus on the role of the family led to development of family therapy to increase the patient’s chance of recovery and decrease chances of relapse.
E) NICE (2009): relapse rate in a family therapy condition was 26% compared to 50% in a control group receiving ‘standard’ care.
L) led to psychological therapies that have benefitted real people’s lives.

Question 7

evaluate family dysfunction explanation:
LIMITATIONS

Answer 7

P) psychological explanations = reductionist
E) ignore role of biological factors:
E) strong evidence for genetics, neurotransmitters eg dopamine, brain abnormalities
L) limited; more holistic approach needed
E) Eg interactionist approach = more appropriate

P) psychological explanations = less determinist
E) individuals thoughts/beh aren’t completely controlled by factors out their control eg biology. - can be viewed positively/negatively
E) less humane: places blames sufferer/family
E) positive impact: feel they have control -> change thinking/empower them to manage the illness