Jade has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Her parents tell her they care about her
but also complain that she is too dependent. They watch Jade closely, criticising her
behaviour, and often argue about how they should treat her. Jade says her mother
makes her feel uncomfortable and unloved, almost as if she was a stranger.
Discuss family dysfunction as an explanation for schizophrenia. Refer to Jade in your
answer(16)
Family Dysfunction as an explanation for Schizophrenia (SZ) concerns the unhealthy family
interactions and behaviour that if extreme could lead to paranoid delusions, which is a
symptom of SZ and much worse in the long-term run. Examples of family dysfunction
could include unpredictability, poor communication, and lack of empathy. There are three
theories under family dysfunction that argue that a tense familial environment may
influence the onset of SZ. These include the Schizophrenogenic mother, the double bind
theory, and expressed emotion.
Fromm-Reichmann (1948) proposes the Schizophrenogenic mother theory. This argues
that a cold, rejecting, and controlling mother creates a family climate of tension and
secrecy. This leads to distrust between the mother and the child, which may later develop
into paranoid delusions, which is a positive symptom of SZ and ultimately SZ.
Bateson et al (1972) proposes the double bind theory. This argues that children who
regularly receive contradictory messages from their parents are more likely to develop SZ.
The child is then punished through the withdrawal of love. This is due to the child fearing
that they are doing the wrong things, but they continue to receive mixed messages as to
what is right. This leads to uncertainty which could develop further into being confused and
having disorganised thinking’ eventually manifesting into paranoid delusions. Ultimately,
this could lead to the onset of SZ.
Expressed emotion concerns how the type of emotion shown towards the child by their
parent could be a significant source of stress for them, if constantly negative and hostile.
These expressed emotions could be criticism which concerns negative comments aid by
the parent to the child. For example, Can’t you do anything right? This could also be
hostility which concerns aggressive comments such as treats from parent to child. For
example, I wish you were never born. Lastly, this could be emotional overinvolvement
which concerns behaviour that involves interfering in other family members’ affairs. For
but also complain that she is too dependent. They watch Jade closely, criticising her
behaviour, and often argue about how they should treat her. Jade says her mother
makes her feel uncomfortable and unloved, almost as if she was a stranger.
Discuss family dysfunction as an explanation for schizophrenia. Refer to Jade in your
answer(16)
Family Dysfunction as an explanation for Schizophrenia (SZ) concerns the unhealthy family
interactions and behaviour that if extreme could lead to paranoid delusions, which is a
symptom of SZ and much worse in the long-term run. Examples of family dysfunction
could include unpredictability, poor communication, and lack of empathy. There are three
theories under family dysfunction that argue that a tense familial environment may
influence the onset of SZ. These include the Schizophrenogenic mother, the double bind
theory, and expressed emotion.
Fromm-Reichmann (1948) proposes the Schizophrenogenic mother theory. This argues
that a cold, rejecting, and controlling mother creates a family climate of tension and
secrecy. This leads to distrust between the mother and the child, which may later develop
into paranoid delusions, which is a positive symptom of SZ and ultimately SZ.
Bateson et al (1972) proposes the double bind theory. This argues that children who
regularly receive contradictory messages from their parents are more likely to develop SZ.
The child is then punished through the withdrawal of love. This is due to the child fearing
that they are doing the wrong things, but they continue to receive mixed messages as to
what is right. This leads to uncertainty which could develop further into being confused and
having disorganised thinking’ eventually manifesting into paranoid delusions. Ultimately,
this could lead to the onset of SZ.
Expressed emotion concerns how the type of emotion shown towards the child by their
parent could be a significant source of stress for them, if constantly negative and hostile.
These expressed emotions could be criticism which concerns negative comments aid by
the parent to the child. For example, Can’t you do anything right? This could also be
hostility which concerns aggressive comments such as treats from parent to child. For
example, I wish you were never born. Lastly, this could be emotional overinvolvement
which concerns behaviour that involves interfering in other family members’ affairs. For
