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Unit 12: Schizophrenia
12.4 Psychological Explanations for Schizophrenia
12.4.1 Family Dysfunction
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Cards (23)
Family dysfunction often includes poor communication, conflict, and lack of
support
Family dysfunction can contribute to the development or worsening of
schizophrenia
.
Match the characteristics with the type of family dysfunction:
Poor or confusing communication ↔️ Dysfunctional family
Open and clear communication ↔️ Healthy family
High EE families are characterized by criticism, hostility, and over-
involvement
What is a defining characteristic of double bind families?
Conflicting messages
Neglectful families provide emotional support during mental health crises.
False
Poor communication in dysfunctional families includes unclear messages, avoidance of difficult topics, and lack of
listening
What is the impact of conflicting messages in dysfunctional families?
Confusion and anxiety
High
EE
is characterized by criticism, hostility, and over-involvement.
Order the components of high EE and their impact on schizophrenia relapse:
1️⃣ Criticism: Increases stress and guilt
2️⃣ Hostility: Creates an unstable environment
3️⃣ Over-involvement: Stifles independence
How does criticism in high EE environments affect schizophrenia relapse?
Increases stress and guilt
Over-involvement in high EE families stifles independence and heightens relapse
risks
What does the term 'Expressed Emotion' refer to in the context of mental health disorders?
Emotional expression and attitudes
Criticism from family members increases stress and guilt, contributing to higher
relapse
Over-involvement by family members can stifle independence and self-management, heightening
relapse
risks.
How does family dysfunction create an environment that fosters cognitive distortions?
Poor communication and conflict
A dysfunctional family characterized by poor communication and conflict often leads to negative thought patterns and cognitive
distortions
How might a high EE family environment lead to cognitive distortions in a child?
Negative self-talk
Longitudinal studies have demonstrated causality between EE levels and patient outcomes in
schizophrenia
.
Which study found that schizophrenia patients in high EE families had significantly higher relapse rates?
Brown et al. (1972)
While family dysfunction contributes to relapse, it does not fully explain the development of
schizophrenia
What are the three main alternative explanations for schizophrenia besides family dysfunction?
Biological, psychological, and social
An interactionist approach combines biological, psychological, and social factors to understand
schizophrenia's
causes and development.