diathesis stress model

• traditional Diathesis explanation

  • vulnerability and trigger needed to develop SZ
  • Meelh's model suggests vulnerability genetic basis one gene schizogeny then are expose to stress in form of say schizophrenogenic mother would develop SZ
• modern diathesis explanation

  • similar blueprint but acknowledges role of a range of factors taking a multidisciplinary approach
  • stressful life events could trigger psychotic symptoms in individuals with biological predisposition
  • genetic factors or adverse conditions in womb lead to vulnerability that is biochemical or neuroanatomical
  • lead to psychological vulnerability - inability to appropriately process information in the form of cognitive processing deficits
  • these deficits could lead to distortions if exposure to stressful life events like family environment being overstimulating go having high expressed emotion
  • cognitive difficulties may be exacerbated and lead to psychotic symptoms seen in SZ patients (delusions and hallucinations)
  • epigenetic
• treatment - interactionist

  • acknowledge biological and psychological factors
  • combine antipsychotics and psychological therapies
  • NHS recommendation to provide a combination of talking therapy and medicine
• AO3 - meehl model

  • simplified and overly deterministic considering limited factors - focus on one gene, research found multiple genes increasing SZ vulnerability
  • lack of operationalisation - stress - vague concept of trigger being SZGM despite lack research

  not reliable as lack of evidence to reinforce idea so use with caution
• AO3 - strength modern model

  • tienari et al child rearing style characterised by high levels of criticism and conflict along with low levels of empathy were implicated in the development of SZ but only for children with a genetic vulnerability
  • importance of an interactionist approach
• AO3 - strength modern model

  • Murray 1996 - reported children born after the flu epidemic where mothers contracted the flu while pregnant, had an 88% increased chance of developing SZ than children born in the same period
  • exposure to flu during the second trimester is suspected of causing defects in neural development - increased vulnerability to SZ due to Brian damage
  • influence dopamine functioning
  • idea of interaction of factors
• AO3 - more holistic

  • considers integration of factors
• AO3 - effectiveness is demonstrated through treatments

  • combination of drugs and talking therapies found to be most effective
  • recommended by NHS
  • Tarrier et al randomly located 315 to medication and CBT or medication only
  • lower symptoms combined treatment
  • effectiveness interactions explanation most appropriate and suggest both vulnerability and trigger are the cause as both targeted.
• AO3 - treatment effective

  • tarrier et al random allocated 315 to medication and CBT or medication only
  • lower symptoms combined treatment
  • effectiveness interactions explanation most appropriate and suggest both vulnerability and trigger are the cause as both targeted.
• AO3 - treatment effectiveness 


  sudak reports antipsychotic drug medication combined with CBT strengthens adherence to drug treatment and CBT gives the patient rational insight