B9. Diathesis-Stress Model, Gene-Environment Interaction, & Suicide

Diathesis-Stress Model

Model that states that individuals inherit tendencies to express certain traits or behaviors, which may then be activated under conditions of stress

Diathesis

A person's underlying predisposition or vulnerability to developing a particular disorder

Stress

Environmental factors or life events that can trigger the onset or exacerbation of a disorder in someone with a diathesis

Predisposing Factor

Precipitating Factor

Protective Factor

Perpetuating Factor

4 Factors in Developing a Disorder

Predisposing Factor

The underlying vulnerabilities or long-term influences that increase a person's risk of developing a particular mental health condition AKA cause of a disorder

Predisposing Factor

Examples are family history of mental illness, genetic traits, early childhood trauma, or chronic stress in the past

Precipitating Factor

The immediate triggers or specific events that lead to the onset or exacerbation of a mental health condition AKA factors that allow the disorder to develop

Precipitating Factor

Examples are job loss, a sudden breakup, a death in the family, or a major life transition

Protective Factor

Strengths, resources, and supportive elements that buffer against the development or worsening of a mental health condition AKA things that reduce the severity of problems

Protective Factor

Examples are supportive friends or family, regular exercise, healthy coping skills, or stable housing

Perpetuating Factor

The ongoing influences that maintain or worsen the mental health condition once it has developed, preventing recovery AKA things that maintain the problem once established

Perpetuating Factor

Examples are social isolation, avoidance behaviors, poor sleep habits, or negative self-talk

Gene-Environment Interaction

The effect of the environment depends on the genotype

Gene-Environment Correlation Model

Genotypes influence their exposure to certain environments. Includes passive, evocative, and active

Reciprocal Gene-Environment Model

Model that claims that people with a genetic predisposition to a disorder may also have a genetic tendency to create environmental factors that promote the disorder

Suicide

Self-inflicted death in which the person acts intentionally, directly, and consciously

Death Seekers

People that clearly intend to end their lives at the time they attempt suicide

Death Initiators

People that clearly intend to end their lives, but they act out of a belief that the process is already underway and that they are simply hastening the process

Death Ignorers

People that do not believe that their self-inflicted death will mean the end of their existence

Death Darers

People that experience mixed feelings or ambivalence about their intent to die. Even at the moment of their attempt, and they show this ambivalence in the act itself

Subintentional Death

A death in which the victim plays an indirect, hidden, partial, or unconscious role

Suicidal Ideation

Thinking seriously about suicide

Suicidal Plans

Formulation of a specific method for killing oneself

Suicidal Attempts

A person tries to die but survives

Egoistic Suicide, Altruistic Suicide, Anomic Suicide, & Fatalistic Suicide

Emile Durkheim's Suicide Types

Egoistic Suicide: Too Little Social Integration

Suicide that happens when a person feels extremely isolated and detached from their community, family, or social groups

Altruistic Suicide: Too Much Social Integration

Suicide that occurs when a person is too integrated into a group, and their individual life is seen as less important than the group's goals or honor

Anomic Suicide: Too Little Social Regulation

Suicide that happens when society's rules, norms, or expectations suddenly break down or become unclear

Fatalistic Suicide: Too Much Social Regulation

Suicide that happens when a person's life is excessively controlled, oppressive, and without any hope or freedom