12.2.12

Interactionist Approach - Diathesis-Stress Model

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The Diathesis-Stress Model

The diathesis-stress model is a major component of the interactionist approach. It was originally developed by Meehl in 1962.

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The interactionist approach

  • The interactionist (or biosocial) approach acknowledges that there are biological, psychological, and societal factors in the development of schizophrenia.
  • Biological factors include genetic vulnerability, and neurochemical and neurological abnormality.
  • Psychological factors include stress, potentially resulting from life events and daily hassles, including poor quality interactions in the family.
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Diathesis-stress model

  • A major part of the interactionist approach is the diathesis-stress model, originally developed by Meehl (1962). The theory has since been revised to take into account advances in genetics.
  • Diathesis means vulnerability, and in the case of schizophrenia applies to negative psychological experiences.
  • According to the diathesis-stress model, vulnerability to schizophrenia and a stress-trigger are necessary for the condition to develop.
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Meehl (1962)

  • In Meehl’s original model, diathesis was entirely genetic. Diathesis was the result of a single ‘schizogene’, which led to the development of a biologically based schizotypal personality.
  • One characteristic of this was a sensitivity to distress.
  • According to Meehl, people without the schizogene will not develop schizophrenia, regardless of levels of stress.
  • But the presence of a schizophrenogenic mother could result in the development of the condition if the schizogene was present.
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Development of the model

  • Modern interpretations of diathesis-stress take into account the current understanding that many genes are involved in the development of schizophrenia and there is no single schizogene.
  • Instead, the current version of the model acknowledges a range of factors beyond genetics (such as psychological trauma) which lead to the trauma becoming the diathesis rather than the stressor.

The Development of the Diathesis-Stress Model

Vulnerability and stress do not have one single source, as the original diathesis-stress model suggested.

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Why the model has changed

  • Studies like Tienari et al (2004) have helped psychologists see how the original diathesis-stress model is too simple, especially regarding the idea of a single schizogene and schizophrenic parenting style.
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How the model has changed

  • It is now understood that multiple genes increase vulnerability to schizophrenia, each having a small effect on its own.
  • Stress is no longer believed to be limited to dysfunctional parenting.
  • Instead, it is now accepted that vulnerability can be the result of early trauma as well as genetic make-up, and that stress can come in many forms including biological.
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Houston et al. (2008)

  • In a recent study by Houston et al. (2008), childhood sexual trauma emerged as a vulnerability factor while cannabis use was a trigger.
  • This shows that the old idea of diathesis as biological and stress as psychological is overly simple.
  • This is a problem with the older form of the diathesis-stress model, but not the new version.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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