BTEC HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE UNIT 1 NOTES
(LOB)
Stress-Diathesis Model
What is the Stress-Diathesis Model?
The Stress-Diathesis Model displays how stress, that has been
caused by life events, can interact with genetic vulnerability, to
create impacts on an individual’s mental health.
Some people are born with a genetic predisposition to a mental
illness, which is referred to as a diathesis. Any outside influence
that causes high stress would make it more or less likely to
reach the psychological disorder. This can include family
conflict, abuse, trauma, issues at school, etc.
Pros and Cons of the Model
+ Balances bot nature and nurture, rather than dividing them
- May not work on more physical disorders (e.g. cardiovascular
disease, mobility issues, etc.)
- Places too much emphasis on stresses in life people
experience more than the diathesis that they are born with
Genetic Susceptibility (a.k.a. predisposition or vulnerability) ~
The increased chance that a person will develop a disease,
based on their genetic makeup
How the Model can Play out
MH DISORDER VERSION
Imagine two individuals, Daniel and David, born with 2 different
genetic predispositions to a complex psychological disorder,
such as Schizophrenia.
(LOB)
Stress-Diathesis Model
What is the Stress-Diathesis Model?
The Stress-Diathesis Model displays how stress, that has been
caused by life events, can interact with genetic vulnerability, to
create impacts on an individual’s mental health.
Some people are born with a genetic predisposition to a mental
illness, which is referred to as a diathesis. Any outside influence
that causes high stress would make it more or less likely to
reach the psychological disorder. This can include family
conflict, abuse, trauma, issues at school, etc.
Pros and Cons of the Model
+ Balances bot nature and nurture, rather than dividing them
- May not work on more physical disorders (e.g. cardiovascular
disease, mobility issues, etc.)
- Places too much emphasis on stresses in life people
experience more than the diathesis that they are born with
Genetic Susceptibility (a.k.a. predisposition or vulnerability) ~
The increased chance that a person will develop a disease,
based on their genetic makeup
How the Model can Play out
MH DISORDER VERSION
Imagine two individuals, Daniel and David, born with 2 different
genetic predispositions to a complex psychological disorder,
such as Schizophrenia.
