The interactionist approach

Question 1

What was Meehl’s approach to the diathesis stress model?

Answer 1

• schizophrenia is the result of schizogenes and a schizophrenogenic mother

Question 2

What is the modern diathesis stress model?

Answer 2

• range of vulnerability factors like multiple genes, early trauma and stress which may be psychological (family dynamics) or biological (cannabis)

Question 3

what are treatments according to the interactionist approach?

Answer 3

• combination including biological and psychological
• based on understanding of schizophrenia
• e.g. antipsychotics combined with CBT or family therapy

Question 4

+ evidence for the role of vulnerability and triggers

Answer 4

• Tienariet = schizophrenia more likely in kids with genetic vulnerability and with critical parents with low empathy
• genetic vulnerability and parenting style interact

Question 5

• original diathesis stress model is over simplified

Answer 5

• previously saw vulnerability as biological and stress as psychological
• rent evidence shows early trauma causes vulnerability and biological events like cannabis can be environmental stressor

Question 6

+ support for the effectiveness of combinations therapies

Answer 6

• Tarrier = greater effectiveness for combined medication + CBT
  over medication + supportive counselling or medication alone