A03

• What are the strengths of family dysfunction?

  1. Support for family dysfunction as a risk factor
• What are the limitations of family dysfunction?

  1. Lacks support
  2. Socially sensitive
  3. Weak evidence for double-bind theory
• Strength = support for family dysfunction as a risk factor

  • Read et al. (2005) reviewed 46 studies of child abuse and schizophrenia
  • Found that 69% if adult women and 59% of male in-patients with schizophrenia had a history of physical abuse, sexual abuse or both
  • HOWEVER - information about childhood experiences was gathered after the development of symptoms and the schizophrenia may have distorted patients’ recall of childhood experiences
  • Brings into question validity of the results
• Limitation = lacks support

  • There is plenty of evidence supporting the idea that childhood family-based stress is associated with schizophrenia
  • However, there is almost none for the traditional family-based theories such as schizophrenogenic mother and double bind
  • These theories are based on observations and informal assessments of patients’ mothers’ personalities, but not systematic evidence
• Limitation = socially sensitive

  • Idea that family dysfunction can be causing the development of schizophrenia can lead to parent-blaming
  • Mothers seem to be particularly blamed (schizophrenogenic mother)
  • This places an unfair burden on the mother especially after having to watch their child experience schizophrenic symptoms and take responsibility for their care
  • To be blamed on top of this could cause significant distress
• Limitation = weak evidence for double-bind theory

  • Very limited evidence to support the importance of double-bind theory in development of schizophrenia
  • Patterns of parental communication in families with a schizophrenic child were measured and no difference found when compared to normal families
  • HOWEVER - despite limited research, there has been some value in the double-bind theory
  • It has led to the development of family therapy, which has proved effective in the treatment of schizophrenia