Psychological explanation : family dysfunction

• Family dysfunction

  Psychologists have therefore proposed that living in a dysfunctional family can result in the development of

  schizophrenia.
• What is double-bind communication 


  Double-bind communication refers to when the schizophrenic patient receives contradictory messages from parents. This could involve a verbal message being given but then the opposite behaviour being displayed. For example, a parent may say something affectionate but then behave in a non-affectionate way or vice versa.
• How does Double-bind communication lead to SCZ


  If a child receives mixed messages and cannot seem to do the right thing, it could result in schizophrenic symptoms such as disorganised thinking and paranoia.
• What is high expressed emotion


  High expressed emotion refers to when communication within a family is often critical or hostile. This typically reflects parents being overly involved or concerned with the patient or their behaviour.
• How does high expressed emotion lead to SCZ


  If a family shows exaggerated involvement, control and criticism, it could be a serious source of distress for the patient with schizophrenia. High expressed emotion has therefore been linked to an increased likelihood of relapse. Indeed, relapse rates in schizophrenics are found to be doubled when living in a family environment with high expressed emotion.
• What is schizophrenogenic mother


  A schizophrenogenic mother is described as cold, controlling and rejecting. Meanwhile, the father in such families is often passive. This can, in turn, create a family climate characterised by tension and secrecy.
• How does a schizophrenogenic mother lead to schizophrenia 


  A schizophrenogenic mother is described as cold, controlling and rejecting. Meanwhile, the father in such families is often passive. This can, in turn, create a family climate characterised by tension and secrecy.