Interactionist Approach to Sz

Interactionist approach

Acknowledges biological and psychological factors in the development of Sz

Diathesis-stress model

Vulnrebility triggered by stressor

(original + modern models)

D-S original

Meehl

Purely genetic diathesis (schizogene), purely psychological stressor (schizomother)

Modern

Sz is polygenetic, and trauma (psych) can also affect the development of the brain

e.g. overactive HPA system

Stressor can be biological as well as psychological (e.g. cannabis)

Treatment

Combining both biological and psychological therapies

CBT and antipsychotic medication

AO3

(+) Support for vulnrebility and triggers

(-) Diathesis + stress is complex, original model too simple

(+) Real world application

(+) Support for vulnrebility and triggers

Tiernari et al.

Genetic vulnrebility + psych trigger (family dysfunction)

19000 Finnish children who's bio mothers were diagnosed with Sz compared to control of adoptees without Sz history (low genetic risk)

Adoptive parents child rearing abilities were assesed

-> highly critical, low empathy parents assiocaited with development of Sz for high risk

Support (CP: possible truama confounding variable, doesnt support OG model)

(-) Diathesis + stress is complex, original model too simple

Polygenetic (not schizogene), aetiologically heterosygous

Bio factors like cannabis can be stress not just psych

Housten et al.

Childhood sexual abuse was a major influence on underlying vulnrebility with cannabis being the main trigger

Much more complicated than OG suggests - shows its flawed

Modern more appropriate for explaining Sz as it includes other factors

(+) Real world application

Tarrier et al.

315 pps, random allocation to either recieve meds and CBT, meds and councelling, or just meds (control)

Combination groups showed lower symptoms following trial compared to control

Effective treatment

Real world value of approach