Psychological Explanations for Schizophrenia : Family Dysfunction

What is a family dysfunction explanation?

An explanation that claims schizophrenia is caused by abnormal patterns of communication within the family

What the cause of schizophrenia according to the family dysfunction explanation?

Family experiences of conflict, communication problems, criticism, control

What is a psychodynamic explanation for schizophrenia?

The schizophrenogenic mother

What is the schizophrenogenic mother explanation?

Suggests that a toxic, dysfunctional mother is a factor in her child’s development of schizophrenia

Who proposed the psychodynamic explanation and how?

Fromm-Reichmann 1948, was based on accounts she heard from patients about their childhoods

Why is the SM an psychodynamic explanation?

Based on a patient’s current internal conflict, roots from aversive childhood experiences

How does the SM impact the family atmosphere?

Creates tension and secrecy

How does the SM cause schizophrenia?

Causes distrust and develops into paranoia delusions. Then leads to schizophrenia in the child

What is the double-bind theory?

A situation where a child receives mixed messages and unpredictable standards imposed on them

Who proposed the double bind theory?

Bateson et al 1972

If a child is in a double bind, what happens?

May develop schizophrenic symptoms, paranoia and disorganised thoughts

How do parents act towards their child in a double bind?

May withdraw their love and approval as punishment for perceived wrongs, child may feel confused. See the world as dangerous or confusing

Is the double bind theory an explanation of schizophrenia?

No, it’s a risk factor for the development

What is expressed emotion?

Refers to how a family member communicates their thoughts towards a person with schizophrenia in the family

What are the three elements to EE?

Hostility, criticism, over-involvement

Hostility

Hostile towards the person, may show anger or resentment

Criticism

Criticism of the person

Over-involvement

Over involved in the life of the person

What is high EE?

An explanation for relapse of schizophrenia. Associated with a high risk of relapse in the person recovering

What is low EE?

Producing an atmosphere of warmth, support and core to help facilitate recovery and prevent relapse